A research study investigated Kentucky middle school students' knowledge of career options available to them and the implementation of career education at the middle school level. A sample of 236 students from 11 middle schools throughout the state were interviewed for the research during the 1990-91 school year. Some of the findings of the study were the following: (1) approximately 40 percent of the sample reported they had not experienced any career education at the middle school level; (2) a majority of the sample reported they had selected a career path, but most of the students did not have current interests that complimented their career choice nor could they identify a personal ability they would need to perform well in their career of choice; (3) approximately three-fourths of the sample did not see the relevance of English, science, or social studies to successful performance in their career choice, and approximately 60 percent did not see the relevance of mathematics; (4) students in the sample were most likely to have experienced one career education activity of several hours duration at each grade level, such as a guest speaker, lecture, or career day; (5) most students reported they were most likely to approach a parent for career information, although many would approach a teacher; (6) mothers with higher education were more likely to initiate conversations about future work with their children than mothers with less education; (7) students from lower socioeconomic levels were less likely to have a career path than other students; and (8) school personnel felt that their schools lacked resources to provide effective career education. (Appendixes include the survey forms and a list of advisory committee members.) (KC)