This report represents a synthesis of existing data on the basic skills of vocational students. An introduction provides background information, lists objectives, and describes the framework and methodology for the literature review and acquisition and analysis of four data bases: National Assessment of Education Progress, Supplemental Mathematics; American College Testing Program; Longitudinal Study of Education Effects; and High School and Beyond. Part 2 summarizes data regarding two project objectives: (1) to analyze data for secondary students in relation to four issues (describing basic skills proficiencies of secondary-level vocational students; comparing their basic skills levels with those of other students; describing how participation in vocational education relates to changes in students' basic skills levels; and explicating relationships among students' basic skills levels, participation in vocational education, and various vocational outcomes) and (2) to review strategies for improving vocational students' basic skills proficiencies reported in the literature. Part 3 focuses on the second objective above and on the objective to analyze data for secondary school dropouts relative to relationships between dropping out and the four issues in the first objective. Appendixes include a reference list; abstracts of empirical studies; and materials concerning dropouts, their characteristics, and strategies for dropouts. (YLB)