Researchers conducted case studies of Ninth Grade Success Initiative (NGSI) grants to gain a greater understanding of issues facing large numbers of at-risk students, many of whom, despite potentially receiving services as early as kindergarten, still reach ninth grade unprepared to succeed academically in high school. Case studies focused on NGSI projects and the broader high school contexts in which they operated. Studies involved 11 of 226 districts that received NGSI funding between 1999-2000 and 2002-03. In addition to NGSI funds, districts also benefited from Optional Extended Year program (OEYP) formula-based allocations, Texas After School Initiative (TASI) grants, or both. Appended are: (1) Teacher Questionnaire; (2) Student Questionnaire; (3) TxSSAR Classroom Observation Form Fall 2003; (4) Results for Classroom Observations by Subject Area; and (5) Factors Jeopardizing Internal Validity. (Contains 23 tables and 5 figures.)