Cooperative education programs aid students in making the transition from school to work. Other benefits include enhanced employability and earning power. Employers benefit through the ability of cooperative education programs to adapt to labor market needs, through reduced recruitment and training problems, and through the satisfaction gained from helping to educate students. The essential elements of cooperative education programs include (1) alternate or parallel periods of instruction in school and supervised employment, (2) written training agreements, (3) vocational instruction related to the job and the student's academic study or career goals, (4) carefully planned alternation of study and work, and (5) students' employment and compensation. These activities are guided by a cooperative education coordinator--an individual who functions in each of the five areas into which the program is organized: administration, coordination, guidance, public relations, and professional development. Issues and recommendations for future cooperative education programs include increased funding, required preservice and inservice training for coordinators, and an expanded role for advisory committees. (Appendixes include descriptions of experiential educational programs, a list of cooperative education coordinator functions, a sample training agreement and school year training plan, a directory of state officials with supervisory responsibility for cooperative education programs, and a glossary.) (YLB)