In 4 stages, this paper, prepared by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL), examines trends in secondary education: a review of 11 major studies from the 1970's; responses from 320 Northwest high school principals to survey questionnaires; a telephone survey of 21 local, state, regional, and national observers of youth employment problems; and a review of NWREL program directors' views on such trends. Among problems identified by the studies are unresponsive school bureaucracies and inadequate curricula. The studies' recommendations include more focus on basic skills and greater responsiveness to student diversity and needs. Principals' questionnaire responses favored many of these recommendations but identified drugs, discipline, and absenteeism as more important problems. Youth employment observers from education, government, and the private sector responded to both general and specialized questions about youth employment policy in the 1980's. Prepared to aid NWREL's planning process, this paper makes no specific conclusions. Further exploration of federal, state, and organized labor programs, and such issues as entry level job competition and job creation is recommended. NWREL program directors were interviewed to determine what they see as emerging trends in secondary education and to identify program categories based on the degree of the program's involvement with secondary education. Relevant tables and charts accompany the document. (PB)