The purpose of this study was to identify and describe barriers to the implementation of competency-based vocational education (CBVE) in Florida's secondary schools and to recommend strategies/solutions to overcome these barriers. Implications for policy formation and for administrative action were to be drawn. This project used as its basis the information gained in an earlier study of postsecondary barriers to CBVE. To gain an insightful view of present implementation strategies, major emphasis was placed on gathering data by observation and interview in secondary vocational programs in a range of implementation settings. Project staff visited CBVE sites, estimated degree of implementation through a program assessment instrument, and noted program instructional procedures and management techniques. Interviews were conducted with school personnel to ascertain responses to a list of tentative barriers statements and to obtain recommendations for solutions. A final list of 57 perceived barriers to CBVE implementation was identified and verified. The barriers statements were organized into an 11-category grouping of convenience: administration, teachers, support staff, students, physical resources, program operation, school procedures, school climate, teacher training, state education agencies, and research and evaluation base. (The program description instrument for occupational vocational education programs is appended.) (YLB)