This book provides an overview of the history and development of vocational and applied technology education. It includes a brief account of the origin and early forms of education for work, the various experiments for including education for work into the schools of Europe, the introduction of apprenticeship in the colonial period, the development of education for work in U.S. schools prior to the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, and the evolution of federal legislation that has shaped vocational and applied technology education. Emphasis is placed on legislation for special populations, and vocational student organizations--essential components of each of the vocational and applied technology education programs. Ten national student organizations are profiled. Each of the seven chapters of the book includes objectives, a self-assessment, and activities. Two appendixes contain legislative references and a chronological chart summarizing the legislation and history of vocational education. The book contains 132 references. (KC)