The goal of a project was to survey the vocational divisions of state departments of education across the nation in order to provide the vocational division of Virginia with information upon which to base decisions concerning the development of its vocational exploratory program. A search of the literature was done and an ERIC search completed. Using Project Baseline, "sister" states were identified. All states were contacted and several were visited to uncover such information. Based upon those states actively involved in developing a continuum of occupational education from orientation through postsecondary vocational education, recommendations were that (1) a policy/philosophy statement be generated; (2) a staff function/position bear responsibility for the exploratory program; (3) the exploratory program be developed in phases; (4) eventually, a fundable, exploratory package be developed, articulated to "Careers and You" as well as to preparatory vocational courses; and (5) that an evaluation plan be put into effect to measure progress and results of the orientation and exploratory program. Ten pages of comparative tables and charts are appended, as well as sample telephone forms used in requesting information from state supervisors, service area directors, and state accreditation officers. (Author/BL)