A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM RESEARCH COORDINATING UNIT WAS DEVELOPED TO COORDINATE, ENCOURAGE, AND ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION OF STUDIES TO IMPROVE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. INITIAL TASKS INVOLVED COMPILATION OF VOCATIONAL RESEARCH, IDENTIFICATION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES, ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM AREAS, ENCOURAGEMENT OF RESEARCH IN PROBLEM AREAS, FIELD TESTS OF INNOVATIONS, AND EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS. THE UNIT SHOWED PROMISING DIRECTIONS FOR ACCOMPLISHING ITS RESEARCH COORDINATION FUNCTION. (GD)