Total Quality Management (TQM) establishes business and industry standards and techniques that ensure the quality of products leaving and reaching firms through continuous actions rather than one final inspection. Deming, Juran, and Crosby, who initiated the process, share a common theme of participatory management. Management participation and attitude, professional quality management, employee participation, and recognition reflect a philosophy making internal and external customer satisfaction as the organization's primary goal. TQM implementation success varies depending upon the strategies employed: "cascade" or "trickle down"; "infection" or "bubble-up"; and "loose-tight." In order for TQM efforts to meet expectations, good tactics and a strong strategic framework should be employed. Five phases are offered to implement TQM in vocational education institutions: commitment; organization development; customer focus; process orientation; and continuous improvement. Improving the quality of products and services is crucial to the public education system. Westinghouse Vocational Technical High School in New York City demonstrates TQM in its Education Quality Initiative. Benefits of TQM philosophy in vocational education programs are the result of attitude change and teamwork. With good facilitation, interdisciplinary cross-functional teams can result in improved communication, increased involvement, improved quality and efficiency, and increased productivity. (NLA)