This paper summarizes results of federal legislation and court litigation addressing special education issues. The first section considers cases in which rights were secured through litigation. These include rights of minority groups, rights of the mentally ill, rights of the mentally retarded, and the right to a fair classification. The second section discusses specific cases concerned with the right to education especially the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Children versus the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania case. Litigation about aspects of Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, is reviewed next including issues of prior legislation, specific provisions, and parent rights. Clarifications of succeeding legislation (e.g., P.L. 98-199, P.L. 99-457, and P.L. 101-476) are briefly summarized. Legislation specifically addressing vocational rehabilitation and developmental disabilities is considered next. Finally post P.L. 94-142 issues are discussed. These include: student removal; private school placement; related services (transportation, medically related services, and other services); the extended school year; attorney fees; and communicable diseases. Cases and statutes are listed at the end in tabular form. (11 references) (DB)