The number of dropouts is increasing and is particularly high in urban areas and among minority students. Dropouts earn less over their lifetimes, are in poorer health, and do not have the technological skills needed for newly-developing jobs. The federal government, the private sector, and educators have made serious commitments to bring down the dropout rate. In this two-part document the Urban Superintendents Network presents possible solutions to this problem. Part One discusses the dropout problem and presents the superintendents' action plan for lowering the dropout rate. Part Two describes six strategies that the superintendents believe hold promise for keeping at-risk students in school. The recommendations are the following: (1) anti-dropout programs should intervene early in the lives and school careers of at-risk youngsters; (2) a positive school climate must be created in schools with adequate personnel; (3) school districts must set high attendance, academic, and discipline expectations; (4) strong teachers should be developed and hired; (5) districts should provide a broad range of instructional programs tailored for at-risk students; and (6) all people, organizations, and institutions should organize collaborative efforts to improve schools and lower the dropout rate. The superintendents plan to form six action groups to address the problem and to share information. The report also includes descriptions of effective dropout programs; a bibliography, and a list of contact persons and agencies. (VM)