The comprehensive plan for special education in the public schools of the District of Columbia explains program goals, objectives of an outreach program designed to aid in the identification of preschool and school age populations requiring special services, the organizational structure of special educational programs and services, and procedural steps and due process connected with any alteration of the basic instructional program which is regularly provided for the majority of students. Also considered are departmental responsibilities and coordination, interagency responsibilities and coordination, and departmental relationships with colleges and universities. Short- and long-range objectives, staff development priorities, personnel assignments, costs, and services delivered are discussed. The summary of departmental programs and services, which comprises the bulk of the document, describes an organizational structure involving levels of service determined by the nature of the setting in which the service is offered. It is noted that programs at all levels are designed to maintain a large percentage of children with special needs in regular classrooms, and to allow for partial integration and ongoing reassessment of the remaining children with the intention of returning them to the educational mainstream as soon as possible. (GW)