An overview of innovative curriculum programs to increase student retention, with a focus on vocational instruction, is presented in this paper. The Pennsylvania Dauphin County Technical School is described, which utilizes a practical performance-oriented approach and individualized instruction in a vocation clusters system. The review of research concludes that a high correlation exists between student participation in vocational education and retention. To achieve a zero percent dropout rate, dropout prevention programs must relate traditional academic courses to student vocational preparation and incorporate a more flexible, diverse curriculum. A vocational decidedness questionnaire is included. (5 references) (LMI)