This guide, which is designed to assist individuals responsible for implementing the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), places the WIA in context and examines its major provisions and the implications of those provisions for educators, trainers, and others involved in the development, funding, and delivery of workforce development programs. The document's foreword gives an overview of the act, which does the following: authorizes a new work investment system and provides services for adults, youths, and dislocated workers; reauthorizes adult education and literacy programs; amends the Wagner-Peyser Act, revises the nations employment statistics system, provides for linkages with other programs, and authorizes the 21st Century Workforce Commission; and amends the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. The following topics are covered in the guide's 13 sections: history of federal legislation governing workforce development; key features of the WIA; structure of the WIA; allocations and formulas; one-stop delivery system; provisions regarding adults and dislocated workers; provisions regarding youth; performance accountability measures; work-flex; Wagner-Peyser/employment statistics; national programs/responsibilities; adult education and literacy; and transition provisions. Appended are the following: WIA implementation benchmarks; recurring dates in the WIA; and required elements of the one-stop delivery system. (MN)