A survey of state legislators was conducted in 1981 by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Center for Research in Vocational Education to determine state legislators' views about vocational education and its outcomes; their views of what vocational education should be doing and how it could be improved; and their perceptions about federal and state roles relative to vocational education. A sample of 209 NCSL members were surveyed, with a 45 percent response. Analysis of mail survey responses yielded the following findings: (1) legislators saw vocational education as doing an "above average" job--a "B" grade; (2) legislators thought that vocational education was performing especially well in teaching job skills, increasing awareness of career opportunities and technology, and teaching good work habits; (3) legislators thought employers should be more involved in curriculum development and in the evaluation of vocational education; (4) the broader goals of economic development in the community and training for nontraditional occupations are in lesser need of emphasis, according to the legislators; (5) most of the respondents felt that the federal government should be involved in vocational education, and that if the federal government did not provide sufficient funding, the states should try to do so. The survey analysis concluded that the general views of the legislators toward vocational education were positive, but that several changes are needed. Legislators also felt that they needed more information about vocational education but they did not have strong opinions regarding the appropriate emphasis of employability skills versus job skills at the secondary level. It was also suggested that a state-level advocacy position would emphasize continued federal funding for vocational education but with greater state control over these funds. (KC)