The first of nine volumes in the SER-LARS (Special Education Resources Location Analysis and Retrieval System) Series presents an overview of the system's diagnostic-prescriptive instructional data bank. Information for the user is provided on resources needed, information generated, and procedures for the model's eight levels: initial referral and identification of handicap; pre-test level of skill; diagnosis for content; diagnosis for process; identification of learning objectives and objective referenced measure; identification of prescription components; coordination and monitoring the prescription's implementation; and evaluation. It is explained that SER-LARS was developed to meet information needs of teachers at each level of the model's process, and that the types of information stored at each level include student information; tests information (by number, title, publisher, and level of testing); learning objectives (content area, history, and objective referenced measures); instructional material information (by number, title, and publisher as well as information on teacher-made and commercially adapted materials). The bulk of the document is composed of sample forms and of 10 appendixes, including information on procedures for requesting SER-LARS retrievals. (CL)