Research suggests that the high school dropout rate can be reduced through improved educational programming, especially in vocational education. Several studies have found that when students with similar backgrounds are compared, those who participate in vocational education are more likely to graduate. To determine why students drop out, Weber (1986) analyzed a sample of 2,000 dropouts and 3,000 graduates with similar characteristics from the High School and Beyond database. Besides supporting the positive relation between participation in vocational education and high school retention, the findings suggest that dropouts do not put much time into planning their high school programs, nor do they participate in the mainstream of vocational programs. Further research revealed that successful dropout prevention programs have in common several factors of organization, staffing, and instruction. Some educators see joint efforts between academic and vocational teachers in teaching at-risk students as productive in dropout prevention. Exemplary programs reported include that of the Pioneer Joint Vocational School in Shelby, Ohio, and the "Principles of Technology" curriculum project of the Center for Occupational Research and Development and the Agency for Instructional Technology. The National Center for Research in Vocational Education has developed a support package of materials, "BASICS," to assist schools in bridging vocational and academic skills. The joint effort approach appears to hold much promise for assisting at-risk youth. Twenty-seven references are listed. (KC)