Attitudes of eighth graders toward vocational education were measured, and the relationship of these attitudes to high school educational program preference (vocational, general, or college preparatory) was determined. The study was also designed to ascertain differences on the basis of disadvantagement, race, and sex. Subjects were 306 students from Hudson County, New Jersey. A 42-item questionnaire was developed to measure attitudes toward vocational education. Part 1 was a Likert-type summated rated scale; part 2 was a forced-choice multiple-choice section. Attitudes of males and females as well as Black, Hispanic, and White adolescents toward vocational education did not differ significantly. Differences occurred between disadvantaged and nondisadvantaged youth. Nondisadvantaged youth had a more favorable attitude toward vocational education. All participants perceived vocational education with a positive attitude. Disadvantaged youth, even though they had a lower attitude score, indicated a greater preference for the vocational program than did white youth. Male youth indicated a greater preference for the vocational program than did female youth. No difference in attitude scores was shown among the youth selecting the vocational, general, or college preparatory high school programs. Conclusions suggested barriers to participation are not directly related to attitudes of disadvantaged youth. (YLB)