Since the 1968 Vocational Education Amendments there has been increased emphasis on programs of world of work orientation and exploration for elementary and secondary students. In order to identify the problems facing these programs and the methodological approaches used in their development, this review emphasizes school responsibility in setting up and operating occupational exploration programs for Grades K-12. Although research in occupational education is limited, because the field has been emphasized only recently, considerable related research has been conducted in career development and vocational guidance. Existing programs are concentrated at the junior high school level, although the emphasis is not on the development of elementary school programs, with master plans to coordinate programs at all levels through Grade 12. The implications for teacher and counselor education and the need for a good relationship with industry are discussed, along with problem areas, questions to be resolved, and recommendations for further research and study. Many of the documents included in the bibliography are available through the ERIC system. (BH)