This monograph discusses the evolution of vocational instruction and how society plays a role in the training from early tribal customs in training to the apprenticeships and then to structuralized instruction in the trade schools, colleges, and universities due to legislation passed as late as 1983. Forces that influenced changes in vocational education and legislation are addressed individually. These include the change from an agrarian society in America into an industrial society, World War I, labor shortage, the economic depression of 1930, a broadening of the interpretation of the population for vocational education, World War II, war production plans, development of postwar activities, racial and language barriers of minority groups in inner cities, a demand for advanced skills and unemployment of unskilled workers, special needs in vocational education, improvement in working conditions, labor organizations, national education associations, other national agencies, state advisory councils, boards of education, teachers, students, parents and voters, community leaders, the state governments and vocational education, impact of Federal legislation, and student organizations. Challenges of the future for vocational education are then explored, including a total restructuring of the nation's social economic systems, the demand for accountability, and excellence in education. (YLB)