The failure of ninth grade students at the state and national level is astronomical and the percentage of students who are retained in the grade or drop out of school as a result has not changed significantly in the past ten years. Freshman year in high school is truly a pivotal year in the lives of many students and a few cost-effective and simple interventions can be implemented to change the current trends of high failure and graduation rate deficits. Although some schools are making gains in this area, the problem is so widespread and commonplace the percentage of improvement is almost negligible. Author Robert Marshall has written this book containing a series of best practices, ideas, interventions and solution strategies to improve ninth grade success and curtail the common practice of grade level retention. Features include: _ Checklists or sample documents to assist with planning and implementation of successful interventions _ A set of web links to successful ideas and practices around the nation _ Successful programs and practices currently working in schools around the nation For middle and high school principals, teachers, and parents.