The central purpose of this paper is to describe the origins, assumptions, approaches, and problems of the major evaluation efforts relating to vocational education specified in the Educational Amendments of 1976. The first of five chapters provides background information on vocational education, evaluation, and the Education Amendments of 1976. The second chapter gives an overview of seven groups which were given specific evaluation responsibilities in the 1976 Amendments. Included in these groups are the state boards of vocational education, state advisory councils for vocational education, and the U.S. Office of Education's Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education. Information on each group is organized into five parts: (1) legislative basis, (2) assumptions/expectations, (3) approach/activities, (4) problems, and (5) comments. In addition, this chapter reviews groups with responsibilities related to evaluation. Among the groups included in this section are the National Center for Research in Vocational Education and the General Accounting Office. Impressions, reflections, and observations are presented in the next chapter, followed by a summary chapter. Material prepared at the conference on the evaluation of vocational education is presented in an epilogue. (LRA)