The report reviews the progress and problems of vocational education in realizing the Congressional expectations set forth in the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Discussion and analysis focus on the 1971-74 period. The study used analyses of Project Baseline's Common Data Base; many of the results are contained in the text, and information on others is appended. Evidence of a number of achievements, as well as evidence of problems, is presented. Intended as more than a summary of progress and problems, the document describes social, economic, and political conditions affecting vocational education's evolution, in an attempt to define the role of vocational education in a broad social context and to identify the major variables which promise to influence future directions of the program. Research on the relation between education and work revealed radical changes in the value and function of education, with vocational education shown by the study to be in the forefront of the change. In the light of research, the report identifies 20 major issues of importance to the continued development of vocational education and makes specific recommendations for responsive congressional policies. (Author/AJ)