This study focuses on vocational education curriculum and staffing changes among California school districts as a result of 1983 state back-to-basics educational reform legislation (Hughes-Hart Educational Reform Act of 1983). Data were gathered from 1981-86, beginning with baseline data two years prior to, during, and two years after legislation. Research methods include a mailed questionnaire and a telephone survey. Tables summarize data results. Legislation is found to have affected vocational education curricula in terms of decrease in academic offerings and in the loss of teachers. Regionally, southern districts altered their curriculum more because of the new graduation requirements than did northern districts. Business education lost considerably fewer teachers and less enrollment than did home economics and industrical education. Only those vocational education courses seen as relevant and preparatory for jobs survived the change. More vocational instructors were teaching in nonvocational areas. Respondents indicated that students would be better prepared for college as a result of reform but that more students may drop out. More students would be unprepared for the work world because of the decrease in vocational options, according to respondents. Study recommendations address concerns for student preparation. (CJH)