This manual presents guidelines for establishing, modifying, and terminating occupational programs at any educational level. It is the result of a comprehensive study of the current practices of all high schools, Regional Occupational Centers, and college districts in California, and an analysis of information obtained from State Boards of Education throughout the country. The manual presents a basic flow chart, as well as explicit guidelines and procedures for each step in the process, beginning with assessing program possibilities, and continuing through selecting the program coordinator; determining program goals and objectives; ascertaining required skills, knowledge, and attitudes; selecting teaching methods; identifying personnel needs; determining administrative relationships; making preliminary assessments of required resources; identifying evaluation methods; analyzing employment demand and potential labor supply data; conducting employer surveys; determining school, community, and student interests and reactions; determining curriculum needs; projecting enrollments; determining budget needs and funding sources; and implementing and evaluating the program. Regional Occupational Program guidelines for preparing and submitting applications for course approval are appended. (DC)