The monitoring guide is designed to insure that local education agencies (LEAs) are meeting the mandate to provide a free, appropriate public education for handicapped students; and to assist public agencies in complying with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations to maximize program effectiveness. An introductory section offers a policy statement and an overview on how to use the guide. The procedural manual consists of a detailed administrative checklist for the head monitor to employ in conducting an on-site review. Attachments (the fourth part of the first section) include guidelines and forms for such areas as selection of sample school sites and student files, selective monitoring, selection of parents and teachers for interviews and surveys, and staff evaluation of monitoring. A second section outlines monitoring procedures for the following: confidentiality of personally identifiable information, due process procedures, least restrictive environment, program options, physical education, child identification, evaluation, placement/review of placement, and individualized education programs (IEPs). A final section contains the schedules, and forms to facilitate recording and summarizing the findings of work performed. The schedules cover areas which include child identification, student file review, and IEP observation. (SW)