The paper discusses a study of the current criteria for identifying and defining specific learning disabilities (SLD) across the States, in light of Public Law 94-142's requirement that local education agencies implement federal SLD criteria in order to receive federal funds for SLD students. Aspects of the states identification procedures…

Shortcomings of the "Seriously Emotionally Disturbed" (S.E.D.) criteria set forth in Public Law 94-142 are discussed and the possibility of integrating other classification methods, specifically those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM III), is raised and critiqued. Findings of a study…

Several lawsuits in Connecticut have led to an attempt to develop public criteria for making residential placements of exceptional children for educational rather than noneducational reasons. This article delineates criteria for making the decision, the processes by which these criteria were developed, and the rationale behind them. (MLF)

Forms developed by the Southwest Regional Resource Center (for the Bureau of Indian Affairs) to supply information requested in the proposed regulations of Public Law 94-142 (special education services to be implemented in 1978) are presented in this publication for purposes of discussion and explanation. An accompanying narrative presents…