The document offers guidelines for observing the nature of life in a variety of closed institutions (state mental hospitals and state schools). An initial section offers guidelines for asking questions, conducting evaluation, and making observations while visiting institutions. The remainder of the document lists questions for 17 areas: building…

The article describes events which have challenged the legitimacy of state schools for the mentally retarded. It notes the development of new legitimating myths to justify institutional existence, and describes how institutional administrators and standard bearers manage relations with and field criticism from the outside world. (SB)