AN OCCUPATIONAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT UNIT WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN A STATEWIDE PROGRAM OF VOCATIONAL RESEARCH TO DEVELOP RESEARCH PERSONNEL, TO EVALUATE EXPERIMENTAL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES, TO DEVELOP AN OVERVIEW OF SURVEY PROCEDURES RELATED TO OCCUPATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING NEEDS, TO REFINE THE OPERATING PROCEDURES OF THE UNIT, AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL AND EVALUATING SERVICES. DURING THE 20-MONTH LIFE OF THE UNIT, RESEARCH PROJECTS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE AREAS OF CURRICULUM NEEDS, OCCUPATIONAL AND TRAINING NEEDS, EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL AND PILOT PROGRAMS, AND JUNIOR COLLEGE FEASIBILITY STUDIES. EXPERIMENTAL AND DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATED IN THE AREAS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, NEW PATTERNS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION, CURRICULUM DESIGN, AND OCCUPATIONAL ORIENTATION. WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES WERE HELD TO IDENTIFY NEEDED AREAS OF ATTENTION AND TO IMPROVE THE RESEARCH COMPETENCIES OF LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, VOCATIONAL DIRECTORS, AND COUNSELORS. (GD)