A survey of state legislators was conducted to determine their views of what vocational education should be doing and how it could be improved as well as their perceptions about federal and state roles relative to vocational education. Findings were based on 45 percent of the sample of 209 members of the National Conference of State Legislatures who responded. Legislators saw vocational education as doing an "above average" job; the most frequent grade awarded to both secondary and postsecondary vocational education was "B." Vocational education was seen as performing especially well in teaching job skills, increasing awareness of career opportunities and technology, and teaching good working habits. The areas they thought needed greatest emphasis included involving employers in curriculum development and in evaluation of vocational education. The broader goals of economic development in the community and training for nontraditional occupations were in lesser need of emphasis. Most thought the federal government should be involved in vocational education. Slightly more than one-half thought that, if the federal government were to significantly decrease funds for vocational education, the states should attempt to replace the difference. They believed states should have greater flexibility and should be able to set their own priorities in spending federal vocational education monies. (The survey is appended. Conclusions appear in an executive summary.) (YLB)