Intended for school administrators, Boards of Education, special education coordinators, and teachers, the handbook contains information about the Special Education services of the Virginia State Department of Education and provides guidelines for the organization of various kinds of programs for handicapped children by local school divisions. The historical background of special education services in Virginia is traced, and policies concerning the distribution of special education funds are stated. State legislation pertaining to special education and teacher certification requirements are presented. General procedures for establishing and developing programs are listed and then discussed in relation to each exceptionality. Also covered are the role of the visiting teacher and school psychologist, the nature of the psychological report, supervision on the local level, suggestions for the evaluation of special education programs, and special education services available from the State Department of Education. (KW)