The public wants higher educational standards but is also concerned that public schools are so disorderly, unsafe, and undisciplined that such learning cannot take place. For too many youths, regular school attendance culminating in high school graduation is no longer the norm. Two broad, common influences underlie the reasons that youth leave the education mainstream. Environmental influences include negative role models exemplified by friends who are chronically truant, pressures related to family health or financial concerns, difficulties related to coping with adolescent pregnancy or marriage, lack of family support, and violence in or near the home or school. School-related influences include the lack of motivation related to poor academic performance, low self-esteem resulting from being classified as a slow learner, lack of personal and educational goals due to the absence of academic challenges, and teacher neglect and lack of respect for children. However, every dollar spent on prevention and early intervention can save $4.74 in the costs of remedial education, welfare, and crime later. Prevention and intervention programs that influence the risk factors are urgently needed. 24 reference notes