A study examined national trends and state policy in Washington State pertaining to the administration and funding of area vocational skills centers. During the study, key persons associated with Washington's skills centers were interviewed and surveyed concerning the following areas: policy and planning, curriculum and instruction, student services, staff development, public relations, and financial support. The researchers concluded that with fine-tuning, the existing administrative procedures at Washington's seven vocational skills centers will be even more effective. Unless funding patterns were to change radically, administrative councils composed of participating superintendents should be retained. To maintain local options and flexibility, centers need only general blueprints and technical assistance from the State; each center should be allowed to develop its own policy and procedure. The cooperative factor should be reinstated to allow sending districts to receive reimbursement for ongoing costs incurred by enabling students to attend an area center. State funds should be provided for replacement of equipment separate from funding available for new program start-up. Furthermore, the allowable hours for students attending skills centers should be increased from five to six per day. (Appendixes to this report contain a list of districts participating in skills centers, a list of 1984-1985 skills center offerings, and a summary of the survey findings.) (MN)