This paper provides an in-depth review and analysis of literature on dropping out from school, and focuses on children who have gained access, but fail to complete a basic education cycle. The main discussion is around why and how children drop out from school. Here drop out is not presented as a distinct event, but rather a process where a range of supply-demand factors interact to influence schooling access. The paper looks at literature in relation to household, community and social contexts of dropping out, as well as school supply and practices. It also explores what research is saying around pre-cursors to dropping out and factors which may influence retention. Finally, the study identifies gaps in research around dropping out and how CREATE research could address some of these. CREATE (the Consortium for Research on Educational Access, Transitions and Equity) is a DFID funded research programme looking at issues of educational access in South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. For more information go to www.create-rpc.org. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)