In 1984-85, a research project was conducted in New York State to develop a summary of existing formal agreements in occupational programs between secondary and postsecondary institutions, and to determine characteristics important to the success of existing agreements. Survey responses were obtained from 45 two-year colleges and 37 secondary schools, and on-site interviews were held at 10 two-year colleges and 7 secondary institutions. Research findings included the following: (1) 60% of the postsecondary respondents and 76% of secondary respondents reported one or more agreements currently in operation; (2) 43.5% of the postsecondary institutions listed division heads/department chairs/associate division deans as responsible for the coordination of agreements; (3) the major purposes of articulation agreements cited by both secondary and postsecondary respondents were to award advanced placement/credit and to facilitate access to college programs; (4) 66.7% of the postsecondary agreements and 45.3% of the secondary agreements had been in operation up to 2 years; (4) problems in planning identified by 31% of the secondary respondents and 47% of the postsecondary respondents included scheduling, transportation, communication, funding, philosophical differences, and compatibility of curricula; (5) reported costs at both levels were indirect costs of time requirements for administrators and faculty; (6) assessment mechanisms were reported in place by 65.2% of the postsecondary respondents and 76.5% of the secondary respondents; and (7) coordination, communication, and commitment were the most frequently identified characteristics of successful agreements. (LAL)