During the last decade concern over drop-outs from the secondary schools of the nation has mounted steadily. Many cities and communities such as Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Camden, and Los Angeles, to name a few, have recently made studies of their former secondary school pupils. The purpose of these studies has been to gather recent data to aid in answering the questions asked and implied by the statement "How well does the school do its job?". The opinion of former pupils accompanied by a study of their present status is considered a practical means for determining the holding power of the school. In September, 1949, a definite administrative assignment for a study of former pupils of the San Diego City Schools was approved by the Superintendent, Dr. Will C. Crawford. The Director of Research, Dr. George V. Hall, was charged with the responsibility for planning the study.
