New Jersey's Task Force on Education and Workforce Quality was formed in 1995 to develop recommendations to ensure a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between New Jersey's education system and the needs of its evolving labor market. The task force conducted a needs assessment that was mailed to approximately 1000 New Jersey employers (response rate, 10%) and held hearings in 4 New Jersey towns that were attended by 116 individuals. Among the topics/issues examined by the task force were the following: purpose of education; education's role in relation to global competition, the changing workplace, new understanding of learning/education, and technology; New Jersey's current demographics and labor market; skills, competencies, and delivery systems; integrated stakeholders; and accountability measurement. Among the task force's recommendations regarding connecting activities/oversight, stakeholder education, curriculum, and state leadership were the following: work force investment boards must play a major role in forming local educational partnerships and connecting stakeholders promoting school-to-work/work-to-school initiatives; teacher certification requirements and preservice/inservice training must be improved to reflect the new work force readiness agenda; and curricula must reflect customer needs more fully. (Appended are the employer needs assessment results and statements of some of the 36 individuals testifying at the 4 hearings.) (MN)