Educational reform efforts have thus far excluded vocational education. Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in reevaluating vocational education's role in facilitating academic excellence and economic competitiveness. Inadequate basic skills remain a significant and growing problem. There is a direct relationship between basic skills and the economic well-being of individuals, families, and businesses as well as the country. A better understanding of what basic skills employers want appears necessary to identifying which skills students should be learning in school. The following benefits of integrating academic and vocational education have been observed: increased quality of vocational instruction; increased quality of academic instruction; upgraded curriculum; improved "coherence" in sequencing of 4-year programs of study; improved integration and increased understanding between academic and vocational teachers; decreased segregation of academic and vocational students; and increased enthusiasm of teachers for teaching and students for learning. There is no one model for integrating academic and vocational course work that can or should be considered the best approach for all students or all schools. Care must be taken so that large groups of students, especially those most at risk of academic and economic failure, are not excluded from such efforts. (15 references) (CML)