This report presents findings of a study to (1) describe state and local implementation of the 1976 Education Amendments and consequences of federally mandated vocational education policy and practice on vocational education activity, (2) understand ways in which state and local conditions affect policy implementation, and (3) recommend ways to achieve greater compliance with federal legislative intent. (Data were collected during onsite visits to state education agencies and selected local institutions in fifteen states during 1979-1980.) The introduction discusses the amendments and implementation and describes methodology. The next seven chapters address the legislation's two major themes. Under program improvement are chapters on planning, evaluation and data reporting, and coordination between CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) and vocational education. Two chapters concerned with equity focus on sex equity and special needs populations. These chapters summarize legislative history and the amendments' key provisions, describe implementation of the provisions in sample states, analyze reasons for the implementation patterns found, and present recommendations for improving compliance with federal intent through legislation or administrative action or discuss limits of federal intervention in vocational education. The chapter on funds distribution addresses issues cutting across the two themes. Chapter 8 presents a summary and conclusions. Sections on methodology and documents analysis are appended. (YLB)