The great diversity in vocational education programs in community colleges can, for the most part, be attributed to the wide range of occupations to be served and the colleges' attempts to meet the needs of their communities and the needs of the individuals within those communities. The vocational educator, however, must be aware of the restrictive rules and regulations imposed by external agencies responsible for administering some vocational programs. These conditions are based on the assumption that a vocational education program will be effective if the institution conforms to certain facility specifications or qualifications required of the teaching staff, instead of evaluating the competencies of the graduates themselves. There are indications of a trend in the approach to institutional evaluation for accrediting purposes that emphasizes the quality of the product over the requirements of the process. In conclusion it is suggested that a cooperative effort be initiated between local institutions and external agencies in formulating educational programs and standards of evaluation. (AL)