A GROWING POPULATION, MIGRATION FROM RURAL TO URBAN AREAS, AND AN EXPANDING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS FORCING ARKANSAS TO REAPPRAISE ITS BASIC SKILLS OFFERINGS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. SINCE ARKANSAS IS NOT IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE MASSIVE INCREASES IN SPENDING FOR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, THE STATE MUST DECIDE IF IT IS DIRECTING ITS EXPENDITURES TO THE MOST URGENT NEEDS, THEREBY RAISING ITS AVERAGE INCOME TO THE POINT WHERE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. STATISTICAL PROJECTIONS OF POPULATION TRENDS AND EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS STRESS THE INCREASING NEED FOR SKILLED LABOR. CONCLUSIONS EMPHASIZE THAT OFFICIALS IN ARKANSAS MUST RE-EXAMINE THEIR TRAINING EXPENDITURES TO ENSURE THAT MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO THE STATE IS REALIZED FROM PRESENTLY LIMITED FUNDS. (DK)