Part of a resource package designed to assist local education agency personnel in improving the quality of instruction and supportive services to students with special needs enrolled in vocational education programs, the third of nine instructor guides examines four different strategies for assessing the student's levels of vocational-educational performance at the time of entry into the vocational education program. It is explained that the performance information serves as the foundation for customizing the learner's instructional program. Also included are suggestions on: (1) the personnel to be involved in collecting learner performance information, (2) the kinds of information to be collected, (3) the timeline for collecting learner performance data, and (4) compilation of this information for reporting purposes. Example documents include a summary report on student's cumulative record, a career competence interview guide, a student performance evaluation form, a behavior observation record, and directions for completing the learner profile. (SBH)