This review is intended to assist guidance counselors, vocational and special education teachers, administrators, researchers, and vocational education evaluators in making decisions about implementing or improving vocational assessment programs. In the introduction, the legislative mandate for and history of vocational assessment of special students are discussed. The next section deals with the following service trends affecting vocational assessment in education: vocational evaluation in rehabilitation, the school-to-work transition, functional community-based special education, supported employment, and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act in relation to vocational assessment of special students. Approaches to and the purposes of vocational assessment for vocational education, the theory of environmental adjustment, categories of vocational adjustment information, analysis of vocational programs, and individual vocational profiles and their constructs are covered in an examination of a conceptual framework for decision making in vocational assessment. Criteria for vocational assessment methods and techniques for assessing vocational choice, vocational skills and abilities, learning style and potential, and special needs are explained. Specific procedures for using vocational education are discussed as are the implications of and recommendations for vocational assessment. An individual vocational profile and nine-page reference list are appended. (MN)