The project objectives were to (1) develop empirically tested guidelines and procedures for initiating, developing, and operating cooperative education programs for secondary students in off-farm agricultural occupations, (2) evaluate the effectiveness of cooperative work experience, and (3) determine the effect of the extent of work experience on educational and occupational criteria. The sample included 35 students in agricultural mechanics and 68 students in ornamental horticulture from 16 high schools. Students from 10 high schools were used as a comparison group. Teachers, students, and employers endorsed the effectiveness of the guidelines and procedures used as the structural model. When compared with students enrolled in similar programs without work experience student engaged in directed work experience rated higher in technical knowledge, entry into curriculum-related employment following graduation, and entry into curriculum-related programs of advanced training. No differences were observed in the criterion performance of students with high and low amounts of occupational experience hours. Lists of contributing personnel, instruments used, and scaling models are included in the appendix. Other documents of this series are available as VT 005 938, VT 006 447, and ED 019 494. (DM)