This guide is intended to serve as a tool for use in examining Michigan's existing job placement program. The job placement status study and planning process outlined in the handbook and the related materials presented have been coordinated with other assessment and planning instruments currently in use by vocational educators in Michigan. The first section discusses program components, describes an operational model, and outlines goals and objectives for coordinated job placement. Discussed next are a review and planning procedure, planning steps, and the job placement program status and planning cycle. The third section covers procedures for developing and conducting a status study and includes master, job placement personnel, administrator, guidance personnel, vocational/occupational instructor, employer, and student questionnaires. The final section describes the following steps in conducting a status study: selecting participants and assigning review numbers, sampling and random sampling, recordkeeping, designating sample sizes, assigning status study numbers, completing tally sheets, using external expertise, conducting an external team review, conducting a parent/guardian survey, selecting respondents and telephone interviewers, developing a sample script for a telephone survey, completing a facilitator's activity planning sheet, requesting information, tabulating data, and compiling a sample technical report. Appendixes contain a glossary of relevant terms, a chronology of significant events, and excerpts from relevant legislation. (MN)