This document records the oral and written testimony of more than 50 witnesses who testified in a series of hearings held by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on establishing a streamlined top quality and efficient system of work force preparation for young people and dislocated workers. The hearings focused on what the federal role should be in changing education both at the secondary and that postsecondary levels to meet the global economy demands of a high performance workplace. Witnesses included practitioners in the field who have been successful in designing educational programs that teach students the academic and vocational skills they will need to meet the needs of employers; other witnesses were students who have benefited from innovative educational programs and employers who have hired students who meet their employment demands. The witnesses testified that innovative approaches are working in some places in the country and that federal legislation that gives local communities and schools the flexibility to implement these ideas without burdensome regulations is needed. The witnesses especially wanted some funding for innovative ideas without the huge amounts of time-consuming paperwork that are presently necessary to fulfill the requirements for various federal set-aside programs. (KC)