Intended for researchers, scholars, and policy makers who are interested in family-oriented education programs for disadvantaged groups, this monograph examines the Mountain-Plains Career Education Model IV, a residential, family-based education program developed to improve the economic potential and lifestyle of selected student families in a six-state area. The document is divided into seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides the background and an overview of the program. Chapter 2 examines Mountain-Plains curriculum development activities and products. Chapter 3 covers several aspects of the Mountain-Plains evaluation in theory and practice. Chapter 4 examines the counseling and career guidance components, and chapter 5 analyzes the occupational program. Recruitment, selection, placement, and follow-up services are discussed in chapter 6. (Chapters 2 through 6 follow a similar format which contains the following elements: an introduction, discussion of conceptual boundaries, examination of the Mountain-Plains experience, a list of lessons learned from the experience, and a summary with conclusions and recommendations.) Chapter 7 presents a general summary of the Mountain-Plains experience and lists the major conclusions. (BM)