Intended as a guide for replicating parts or all of the Mountain-Plains Career Education Model IV, this handbook provides a detailed description of a residential, family-based education program developed to improve the economic potential and lifestyle of selected student families in a six-state area. The handbook is divided into seven chapters and is accompanied by a series of sixteen supplementary documents (CE 014 631-646) which are referenced to specific chapters in the handbook and contain policies, procedures, and copies of all forms used in administering the program. Chapter 1 of the handbook gives a broad overview of the program, covering the following elements: program description, program sequence, key concepts, target population served, organizational development, problems in development, and effects to date. Chapters 2 through 7 each cover one operational division of the program in terms of objectives, functions, staffing patterns, and relationship to other divisions. Included are the following divisions: controller services, research services, student services, administrative services, field services, and educational services. (Other related documents produced by the Mountain-Plains program are available in the ERIC system, including descriptions of program and research design, individual case studies, statistical studies, summative evaluation reports, curriculum materials, instructor and administrator guides, and general information.) (BM)