Using existing records, documents, and data files, a study was conducted to identify and describe the status of vocational education in California's community colleges in seven areas of investigation: vocational students, vocational programs, program delivery patterns, program planning, program funding, student outcomes, and major trends and issues. Study findings included the following: (1) 63.4% of vocational students were white, 45% were between the ages of 21 and 29, 48% attended only evening classes, 74% attended part-time, 67% were self-supporting, and 48% worked full time; (2) a major portion of vocational enrollments are concentrated in business, computer, and technical occupations; (3) occupational administrators anticipated changes in the mode of program delivery during the next 5 years to include more contractual education and more industry input, as well as changes in local program planning procedures and stronger linkage with the private sector; (4) community colleges have been affected by declining levels of funding; (5) student and employer follow-up efforts were limited; and (6) major factors affecting the current status of vocational education in the state included the dichotomy of perceptions about community colleges as institutions, problems of differentiating between vocational education and job training, the legislative context, lack of a clear philosophical framework for identifying the role of community colleges in the state's economic development program, a shift in the purposes of Vocational Education Act funds and a decline in buying power, and changing demographic patterns in the state and its community colleges. Based on study findings, recommendations were developed for the improvement of leadership, mission, and philosophy; program planning and coordination; student services and program impacts; vocational program funding; the state program approval process; and the state information system. (LAL)