The objective of this survey study was to find some tentative answers to the question of how well educational programs are meeting the needs of students. The study design included several unique features intended to increase both the validity and the practical applicability of the results. The first feature was to establish an empirical framework for evaluation of the effectiveness of an individual's educational experience. The framework included the formulation of a set of categories that include all aspects of activities and experiences that define the quality of life in America. The second was to utilize the participants in the Project TALENT national survey to provide a longitudinal perspective on the individuals studied. The third was to select a nationally representative sample of persons who were 15 years old in 1960. The fourth was the adoption of these 30-year-olds' quality of life and their performance in present roles as the criteria against which to evaluate the effectiveness of their educational experiences. The last was using the individual as the unit of analysis. The five defined problem areas were vocational guidance, quality of teaching, individualization of instruction, the curriculum, and personal support and counseling. Extensive appendixes are included. (Author/IRT)