Education is being constantly criticized for its failure to produce literate graduates. Reformers are urging a return to basics, a more rigorous curriculum, and results that can be measured on achievement tests. Vocational education also is being criticized. Opponents think that vocational education prepares graduates for a narrow range of job skills that soon become obsolete. To defuse such criticism and do a better job of preparing students for the future, vocational education will have to change. More emphasis should be put on preparing students for a broad spectrum of jobs and for the retraining they will probably face in the future. At the same time, vocational education will have to improve coordination of programs between secondary schools, community colleges, and vocational institutes so that students can receive the training they need without wasting time in moving from one program to another. Program planners on all levels must begin to work together to reduce institutional jealousies in order to provide coordinated programs that prepare vocational students for the future. If vocational educators do not improve articulation voluntarily, state legislatures will enact laws to force them to do so. Florida, for example, has enacted legislation that mandates coordinated programs between various levels and sets statewide standards for courses, while putting tighter controls on the offerings of community colleges and vocational institutes. Vocational education can meet the needs of students if vocational educators cooperate to increase articulation between and among their programs. (KC)