The handbook is designed to be an introduction to a larger collection of materials on career education which are available through the Michigan Department of Education. It is a do-it-yourself suggestion book for districts who have not yet developed their plans for career education, as well as for those that are already immersed in initial planning or experimental implementation. Part A is an introduction to career exploration providing a discussion of its definition, major concepts, and expected outcomes. Part B presents a model exploration program which reflects what is felt to be the furthest advances in the state of the art. It describes various stages of the model: preliminary stage (role awareness), experience stage (role identification and exploration), and the planning stage (role participation-career planning). Part C, implementing career exploration programs, discusses some of the aspects of exploration programs that are essential to their success: (1) prerequisites, (2) curriculum planning (internal and external curriculum and support systems), (3) coordination needs, (4) teacher and counselor responsibilities, and (5) special counseling responsibilities for administrators and community persons. (Author/BP)