Educational attainment is becoming increasingly important, relative to other factors, in shaping young people's life chances. Graduating from high school is widely recognized as a first necessary stepping stone to getting the knowledge and skills necessary to reap the benefits of rewarding work in today's economy. Knowing why people fail to complete high school and documenting the experience of those who drop out will help to identify ways to make school more attractive. Relevant research questions to explore include:

• What factors affect the decision to drop out of high school?
• What are the labour market experiences in Canada and other countries of young adults [aged 20 to 24] with low levels of educational attainment?
• What early interventions [e.g., in primary years] are associated with improved chances of completing high school and participation in post-secondary education?
• To what extent does school-based work experience facilitate transition to the workplace?