A study assessed the characteristics and practices of employers participating in Florida school-to-work (STW) initiatives, the factors influencing their participation, and the quality and value of their partnerships with schools. Data were gathered through a statewide mail survey of a random sample of employers drawn from more than 15,000 Florida STW employers. Six industry types (government, business and services, construction trades, health care, and hospitality, travel and entertainment) accounted for three-fourths of the study population. Employers ranged in size from one to 6,000 employees. More than half had fewer than 50 employees. The study showed broad-based employer participation in these three STW areas: working with students, working with educators, and internal company practices supporting STW. Employers were less involved in a fourth area--building a system. Employers were most motivated to participate in STW by the opportunity to contribute to the local community and to the quality of public education. Work force-related incentives, such as employee recruitment, were rated higher as incentives to participate than were program-related needs. Lack of information about STW was cited as the major disincentive to employer participation. Size was the greatest determinant of employer participation, with the largest employers most likely to participate. (Survey results and open-ended comments are appended. Contains 89 references.) (KC)