Dropping out of high school is a complex social problem for which no easy solution exists. Academic failure and high school dropouts pose academic and social problems nationally and in Kentucky. Kentucky high schools, as well as other states struggle to find effective ways to decrease the number of students who leave school without earning a high school diploma.

This study examined a Transition Education Program that has operated in the five Fayette county high schools for the past twelve years. This research study employed a case study design. The overarching research question was “Are dropout prevention programs using strategies that achieve program objectives?” The results of this case study provided descriptive information about how high schools work together within a school system and address dropout prevention and identify successful strategies for assisting at-risk youth to become high school graduates.

This research relied on an exploratory case study format for the investigation of the Transition Education Program. The author chose this design as her research methodology because this particular dropout prevention program had not been studied previously and the program received national recognition. Results of the study add to the current knowledge base about high school dropout prevention programs. This study gathered both quantitative and qualitative descriptive data from multiple data sources inclusive of interviews, surveys, state and local school publications, and program data. Study participants were school personnel, parents, and Transition Education Program students.

An analysis of the data for this study included the use of descriptive statistics procedures that organized and summarized data. Identifying themes became important when coding the interviews and survey responses. As a result of this research, one concluded that these Transition programs in the five high schools share similar goals and are making progress toward improving attendance and reducing the dropout rates. All programs are also working toward supporting the students' needs and giving them the opportunities to learn and develop academically, emotionally and socially, with the ultimate goal of high school completion. Recommendations about strategies and programs are made for the school system and other policy makers for dropout prevention.