As part of Project IMPACT's efforts to identify and develop procedures for complying with the impact requirements of Public Law 94-482, a case study was made of two Illinois communities and the vocational education programs in those communities. The study examined the relationship between the "good" vocational education programs in Elwood and Walker, Illinois, and a global view of life in the communities where they are situated. The study of Elwood showed that the success of its high school vocational program derived in part from the dynamic efforts of the high school principal/vocational educator, and in part from the homogeneous values and no-nonsense approach of the town's citizens, among other factors. The town of Walker runs three exemplary vocational education programs--Experience Based Career Education (EBCE), programs for special needs learners, and a home planning and design course. Project IMPACT observed that the commitment of both the town and the vocational educators of Walker to continuously and rigorously monitor, improve, and expand vocational education offerings has been a major ingredient in the overall positive image and impact of its vocational education programs. For Project IMPACT, the case studies pointed to the need for further case studies of local vocational education programs, with resources for the investigator to live in the community and observe students and teachers as they interact. Other useful case study approaches would be multiple cases of students as they take individual courses and of classroom teachers and vocational educators who have built exemplary programs. (KC)