Objectives of a career education research and development program were to reduce student absenteeism and dropout rates in seven Baltimore schools (four elementary, two junior high, and one high school) by initiating and developing career awareness at the elementary level; providing occupational information, personal development, and career exploration experiences in junior high schools; developing a high school cooperative education program with the community college; and involving the parents in development of the career education program. The primary conclusion was that the one-year program made a decisive impact on the participating students and was considered a success by all involved. Recommendations include providing inservice career training to all school personnel, initiating cooperative teacher education programs with local colleges and universities, and developing staff inservice education programs concerning public and private sectors of the employment community. The body of the report (twenty-three pages) includes brief descriptions of several project components, e.g., an elementary school store, junior high in-school and on-the-job work experiences, the high school volunteer intern program with the University of Maryland hospital, and a three-day workshop for teacher education faculty and students held at Coppin State College. Sample report forms, teacher guides and lesson plans, workshop agendas, and parent questionnaires are contained in a 104-page appendix. (BL)