This primer provides resources for individuals seeking exemplary programs and effective policy in the field of experiential education. The first of three parts presents a descriptive overview of programs catalogued under the rubric of experiential learning. These include cooperative vocational education; employment, training, and education motivation programs; experience-based academic programs; career exploration programs; apprenticeship programs; supervised volunteer work; and general work experience programs. Section 2 contains descriptions by program directors/leaders of the policy-making processes, guidelines, and participants in nine programs: The Academic Internship Program, The College Venture Program, The Executive High School Internships Program, 70001 Ltd., The Hampden County Manpower Programs, Recruitment and Training Program, Cooperative Vocational Education Programs, Walkabout, and Experience-Based Career Education. The final section contains abstracts of forty programs that were chosen because of their innovation, stability, and effectiveness. Abstracts include the following information where appropriate: program address; purpose; national model; publication; total enrollment; funding source; population served; selection procedure; pay; time at work/learning site; graduation credit; evaluation of participants; cost; supervision at community site; business, labor, community involvement in program policy making; orientation information; coordination with classroom instruction; real work credit for experiential learning; program guidelines; legal problems; transportation to job site; follow-up studies; and comments. (CSS)