Tennessee employers were surveyed regarding secondary vocational education as a source of entry-level employees and on their perceptions of issues in the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 1990. A survey instrument secured ratings for various types and levels of educational and governmental agencies. The population consisted of 680 employers identified by secondary vocational education teachers as employing recent program graduates; 383 responses were usable. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System; frequencies, percentages, and analysis of variance were conducted. Findings indicated that small- and large-size firms valued secondary vocational-technical programs as a source of entry-level employees above other sources; medium-sized firms valued postsecondary programs. The larger the firm, the more it valued other sources in addition to secondary education. The majority of small- and medium-sized firms valued a high school diploma most; larger firms valued two-year technical community college degrees most. Employers consistently rated secondary vocational-technical graduates over other entry-level employees. They valued secondary teachers and administrators more than postsecondary programs for working with employers to meet labor market needs. Respondents supported basic skill enhancement courses, entry-level academic skill standards, special education teachers teaching general employment skills, and reinforcement of general employment skills through academic courses for disadvantaged students. (Twenty-six references and the study instrument are appended.) (YLB)