The document describes findings of a study of the cost of special education and related services for handicapped children, using information from a national survey taken in 1977-1978. Twenty chapters cover the following study components: objective of the study; summary of study findings; description of sample states and localities; data collection and analysis methods; personnel salaries and work years; age, handicapping condition, and type of educational placement of the handicapped student population; instructional costs of special education teachers; special education aide costs; instructional costs of regular education teachers and aides; costs for related services personnel; screening costs; assessment costs; admission and individualized education program development costs; staff inservice training costs; technical assistance costs; transportation costs; other costs of educating handicapped children; other costs of educating nonhandicapped children; total and added costs of special education; and total cost of special education by size of local education agency enrollment. Tables with statistical data are provided throughout the report. (SB)