This teacher training monograph examines education and policy issues as they relate to the education of limited English proficient (LEP) students. Federal involvement in educational policy on behalf of both handicapped and linguistically different children is traced from the 1960s to the present. Litigation influencing legislation on behalf of these students and issues of educational services is examined, and four cases involving the rights of LEP students are discussed. Major legislation covering LEP, minority, and handicapped students is described. The responsibilities of school districts with LEP students are outlined. These include: (1) taking steps to locate the students; (2) testing for special education placement in students' native language; (3) using placement teams with persons coversant in the students' native language; (4) meeting the language needs of LEP parents; (5) altering programs to meet LEP student needs. (CG)