SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT AREA VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS--WHAT THEY ARE, WHAT THEY CAN DO, AND HOW THEY ARE ORGANIZED, ADMINISTERED, AND STAFFED--ARE REEXAMINED TO SHOW HOW EVEN THE SMALLEST COMMUNITIES, THROUGH COOPERATIVE EFFORT AND LARGER ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS, CAN AFFORD THE DIVERSIFIED SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SUPERIOR EDUCATION. FOUR TYPES OF VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE--THE SHARED-TIME VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, THE VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT IN A COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL, THE SELF-CONTAINED VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL, AND THE RESIDENTIAL VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL. EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT THE SELF-CONTAINED VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE. IN PLANNING AN AREA VOCATIONAL PROGRAM, (1) ENLIST SUPPORT, (2) SECURE THE ADVICE OF THE COMMUNITY, (3) ASSEMBLE FACTS PERTAINING TO NEED, AND (4) WORK OUT PLANS IN DETAIL, PERHAPS WITH PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL TO ADVISE ON THE SIZE OF THE SERVICE AREA, STRUCTURES NEEDED, PARKING SPACE NEEDED, PERSONNEL REQUIRED, AND THE CURRICULUM OFFERED. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDED ARE STUDENT PERSONNEL SERVICES, PUBLICITY, COOPERATION WITH PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, ADVISORY COMMITTEES, AND USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS. (PS)