A handbook to assist school district personnel in designing special instructional programs for limited English proficient (LEP) students considers the variety of circumstances in individual school districts by providing program models appropriate for one or many language minority students. The first section provides background information on the aspects of first and second language acquisition that have the greatest impact on LEP students' academic success. The second section discusses the weaknesses and strengths of a variety of instructional approaches commonly used with LEP students, including the submersion approach, bilingual education, immersion, English as a second language programs with native language support services, inclass instruction, and individual tutoring. The third section presents steps to follow in planning and implementing the programs, including developing entry and exit criteria, developing instructional strategies, staffing, staff development, special education, and parent and community involvement. The fourth section discusses the identification and use of materials and personnel and funding resources, and the fifth section examines strategies for evaluating and monitoring the instructional program. A brief bibliography is included. (MSE)