Industrial arts is a program of instructional and laboratory experiences that provides basic general education for all students. Industrial arts curricula consist of experiences based upon nationally relevant economic and industrial clusters, and industrial arts courses provide "hands-on" manipulative experiences that serve students' occupational and vocational needs in a manner that is consistent with the demands of our technological society. In 1972, Congress recognized the importance of industrial arts by extending the benefits that go to vocational education and, thereby, to industrial arts as well. Because industrial arts education promotes vocational and technological exploration, it can serve as an important contributor in helping vocational educators achieve goals more effectively and efficiently. Despite the potentially great benefits to be derived from a close partnership between industrial arts and vocational education, many problem areas still need to be solved pertaining to the coordination of industrial arts and vocational education. Included among these problem areas are the widespread practice of funding industrial arts programs only after vocational education programs have been funded and the existence of significant tensions between the industrial arts and vocational education sectors in some states. (MN)