This report describes the opinions of a number of groups on five roles attributed to vocational education (i.e., employability skills development, occupational skills development, work experience, job placement, and basic skills development). The findings were based on a secondary analysis of data from five completed National Center for Research in Vocational Education studies. The secondary analysis involved an examination of the opinions of students, school personnel, community representatives, and policymakers. Some of the findings included the following: (1) occupational skills development, work experience, and basic skills development are important for all students; (2) although employability skills development is important for all students, it is considered more important at the secondary level; and (3) training-related placement is not seen as the most important role for either secondary or postsecondary vocational education. On the basis of the study findings, it is suggested that Congress should re-examine the importance given to training-related placement as a basis for assessing program success, re-examine the need to continue legislative set-asides, decide if state and local agencies should determine the allocation of federal vocational education funds, and examine the federal role in promoting basic skills development. The United States Department of Education should provide more adequate public opinion data and formulate national priorities for the use of federal funds for vocational education improvements; meanwhile, state boards should continue research and cooperation with other agencies and levels of government to improve vocational education. (KC)