This report presents a profile of the populations served by vocational education (VE) programs, comparing their literacy skills, demographics, and socioeconomic characteristics with those of students in other education tracks. Chapter 1 provides an introduction. Chapter 2 compares students enrolled in postsecondary VE programs with students enrolled in institutions granting associate and bachelor's degrees and discusses demographic characteristics, socioeconomic background, and literacy skills. The comparison shows that students enrolled in postsecondary VE programs displayed substantially lower scores on tests of literacy but had parents with lower socioeconomic background. Chapter 3 provides a statistical analysis of the link between secondary and postsecondary VE programs and labor market earnings. It finds that persons who complete a VE track in high school do not have significantly different earnings later in life than those who complete their secondary education without tracking; participants in formal postsecondary VE institutions tended to have earnings significantly higher. Chapter 4 analyzes the potential impact of linking VE programs with academic study programs leading to high school equivalency and finds that those receiving an equivalency certificate had similar literacy skills in comparison with students who received a high school diploma. Chapter 5 reviews the implications of the results for policy reform efforts, many of which define potential economic and educational impact of VE programs on diverse groups participating in the programs. (Contains 48 references.) (YLB)