The Instructional Support System for Occupational Education (ISSOE) project, conducted in New York, focused on (1) review of individualized education systems, (2) selection of appropriate occupational clusters, and (3) development and field testing of a system and materials. A product of the Managing Student Progress series of the ISSOE program this booklet provides an overview of the ISSOE system designed to assist occupational education teachers and administrators with implementation and development of a competency-based occupational education program within their school. This user's guide contains four main sections. An overview of the entire ISSOE system is given first, and then the conceptual basis upon which ISSOE was designed, its goals and functions, are explained. This is followed by a description of the system for the management of student progress. Third, information relation to ISSOE dissemination and implementation is offered. Finally, a section on management information is provided, containing information on student and classroom information management, program management, and computer support options. (KC)