This report presents findings of a study of effective placement programs, both secondary and postsecondary, which identified elements that contribute to program success. The analysis begins with a look at who operates the placement services, what their backgrounds are, and their similarities and differences in terms of philosophies, opinions, and practices. Discussion includes the role of teachers and other members of the placement team, not including placement personnel, and a comparison of the priority that different schools give to placement. Various strategies are described for accomplishing the basic components of placement: assessing the local employment market and students' job aptitudes, preemployment learning activities, job placement, follow up, and job development. Special efforts for groups such as dropouts, adults, and handicapped students are reviewed. Subsequent sections of the study focus on impediments to effective placement and some rewards of the placement job as seen through the eyes of those who accomplish it. Findings are summarized in a set of conclusions. The report concludes with recommendations for future directions and practices in the field of vocational-technical placement. (YLB)