Equity in vocational education requires the provision to disadvantaged youth of such additional elements in the educational process that will enable them to take advantage of the process and join the mainstream of America's economic life. Barriers to equity for the educationally and socioeconomically disadvantaged students include too many expectations of public schools to the detriment of academic and vocational education, lack of basic skills, lack of socialization skills, lack of motivation for work, lack of adequate numbers of vocational program instructors, need for up-to-date equipment, and the current minimum wage. Possible solutions are local business and labor advisory group input into program planning, business tax credit for wages to trainees, employment opportunities for students and job placement, summer work programs, and funding for vocational research that is limited to areas demonstrating a direct benefit to students served by the local area program. The most effective operating program design addressing both the educational and employment needs of disadvantaged youth is encompassed in the Federal Vocational Education Act of 1963. (Recommendations are made for vocational education programs, the future of educational research, and changes in federal legislation.) (YLB)