This paper was presented before Section Q of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago on December 30, 1959. A survey is discussed that attempts to estimate the number of boys and girls in different talent and background categories who leave public high schools before graduation. Some of the estimates are rather large, but looking at them in context, they indicate that on the whole public schools are improving remarkably. Detailed findings suggest that in certain types of schools and in certain areas, they are doing less well.