The U.S. Commissioner of Education introduced career education (CE) as a formal concept in the 1970s. The first formal CE efforts were concentrated on demonstration projects in grades K-12. In the 1980s and beyond, government and private agencies, business and industry, labor, commerce, education, citizenry, nonprofit associations, and others continued to support CE. CE's mission is to advance and enhance individuals' productivity and satisfaction through connections of career, education, and work throughout the lifespan. The basic model of CE includes career awareness, exploration, decision making and planning, preparation, entry, maintenance, and progression. The following are among the CE model's characteristics: (1) CE is serially keyed to developmental stages; (2) CE stresses both basic and academic learning; (3) CE focuses on attitudes, information and knowledge, skills, and their applications; (4) CE views school as a workplace, considers the paid and nonpaid aspects of work, and differentiates between work values and occupational values; and (5) CE recognizes the need for lifelong learning and renewable development of multiple skills and competencies. CE offerings vary in different locations depending on the characteristics and needs of specific situations. (The bibliography lists 13 references. A list of 22 American Association for Career Education 1997-2001 citations for CE initiatives is appended.) (MN)