A study was conducted to identify areas of teacher and program needs in the state of Tennessee in order to plan for the future. Five secondary school systems were selected from each of the seven developmental districts in the state, for a total sample of 35 representative systems. From these 35 systems, 419 (of 587) vocational personnel completed a mailed questionnaire. Demographic data as well as information about teachers' educational status and long-range professional development goals were obtained. Additionally, information was obtained regarding the teachers' workloads, the makeup of the students served, and class size. Secondary teachers also rated the importance of 19 skills they needed to improve their instruction. The study found that 35 percent of the teachers plan to retire within the next 5 years. About 25 percent of the teachers had no lesson planning period, and about one-half of the secondary vocational teachers are teaching 1-hour exploratory programs only, showing that Tennessee's vocational education program is becoming exploratory as opposed to job preparatory. Several skills that would help vocational teachers were identified (motivating/disciplining students, assessing student interest, helping with career development updating technical skills, and acquiring computer skills) and should be incorporated into teacher education program, the study concluded. (18 references.) (Author/KC)