In 1993-94, the Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD) allocated money to four operations areas for five dropout prevention programs for overage ninth graders. Three of the five area dropout programs had positive effects on the dropout rates of students served. The dropout rates for these programs were lower than the sixth six-weeks dropout rate for high school students districtwide, and fewer students dropped out than predicted from their at-risk characteristics. The following year, students in two of these programs were recommended for retention in grades at lower rates than those of the district overall, but other indicators of program effectiveness do not show influence of the programs overall on achievement, attendance, grades, or discipline incidents. Several of the programs served a small number of students, and were consequently very expensive. In addition, not all students served were at risk or ninth graders. Recommendations center on identifying and targeting a greater percentage of at-risk and overage ninth graders and on using the lessons from effective programs to improve the others. Eleven figures and five evaluation summary charts present results of the program evaluations. (SLD)