This study focused on aspects of a problem defined through statements of both general and particular objectives. Included as general objectives were: (1) the development of a method for identifying and describing groups of students excluded from Cooperative Work Education (CWE) programs, and (2) the development of comparative analysis of students admitted to and students excluded from CWE programs. Particular objectives were: (1) to assess the student selection criteria and practices, and overall operations, of a local school system's CWE program, and (2) to determine the extent to which these criteria, practices, and operations were responsive to school system policy, and to national goals, priorities, and problems. Descriptive in nature, the study used non-parametric techniques since assumptions of normal distribution were in question. A major conclusion of the study is that the characteristics of students excluded overtly or covertly from the school system's CWE programs strongly suggest that many students were denied admission to CWE on the basis of such factors as (1) socioeconomic class, (2) race, (3) age, (4) sex, (5) drop-out proneness, (6) low school achievement, (7) absenteeism, and (8) similar or related factors. It is also noted that students excluded from CWE programs are those who need the programs the most. (Author/JS)