The first of two parts, the narrative report examines vocational education programs and is based on State and Federal records and other sources. A summary of the report is presented and two recommendations are directed to Congress regarding the lack of coordination between vocational education and manpower training and the lack of progress towards a solution to this problem. The state of vocational education through 1973-74 is analyzed based on enrollment, expenditures, completions and placements, instructional personnel, manpower. An assessment of the impact of vocational education research and demonstrations is presented according to the following categories: Federally administered research, State administered research, Federally administered exemplary programs, and State administered exemplary programs. The quality of information supplied by the States have improved over the last four years with the use of computers for processing data. A discussion of the present status of information systems is presented on a national and State-by-State basis. Appended materials include: (1) national summary of vocational education (1971-1974); (2) 1974 national data on vocational education teacher shortages, assignments, and career education; (3) a paper on measuring the impact of research and demonstration projects; (4) State management information processing data; and (5) definitions of vocational education terms. (Author/EC)