This paper explores the issue of establishing and evaluating objectives for local career education programs. It presents a perspective on the state of the art based on reviews of the literature. Although it is addressed principally to local program developers and managers, the paper is also aimed at state career education coordinators. After a discussion of career education objectives and legislation that have affected both state and local career education programs, the ten learner goals established by the United States Office of Career Education are examined at length. These are (1) competence in basic skills; (2) good work habits; (3) personally meaningful work habits; (4) career decision-making skills; (5) occupational and interpersonal skills; (6) understanding self and educational/vocational opportunities; (7) awareness of continuing and recurrent education; (8) consistence of placement with career decisions; (9) seeking meaning through work and leisure; and (10) awareness of methods of expanding career options. For each goal current status of research and evaluation is discussed and future needs are suggested. Recommendations are made, such as the need for increasing the quality of evaluation designs and measurement instruments. (CT)