It has become increasingly important to determine if certain key segments of the population recognize and accept the premise that the occupational preparation of youth and adults is a function of public education. This report, Part I of a two-part series, deals with some of the attitudes toward vocational education held by secondary school administrators and boards of education members. Data were collected by questionnaire sent to 537 persons of which 339 or 63 percent responded. Findings include: (1) In spite of the apparent support of vocational education, the respondents indicated that they did not feel present vocational programs were effectively preparing students for today's world of work, (2) Respondents reported that they did not feel their respective counties were providing a wide enough variety of vocational education programs to meet the diverse interest, abilities, and needs of students not going to college, (3) A lack of sufficient money for support of vocational education was identified as the major reason why there was not more vocational education in public schools, and (4) The respondents felt the cost of vocational education could be justified in terms of the numbers of persons it made useful members of society. Part II, dealing with attitudes held by West Virginia employers and labor leaders, will be published later. (CH)