Intended as a resource both for Hearing Officers who must officiate at due process hearings mandated by the Education for All Handicapped Children Act to determine the educational status of handicapped children, and for those responsible for the training of such officers, the manual outlines relevant information concerning due process, including a recommended step-by-step procedure for preparing for and conducting a hearing and writing a decision. The litigation and legislation granting handicapped children the right to education is reviewed, and an overview is presented of due process, including such aspects as due process procedures for parents and children, protection in evaluation procedures, confidentiality of information, and the Least Restrictive Environment concept. The role of the Hearing Officer is reviewed, and includes the federal requirements relating to such things as the impartial hearing and hearing rights. A sample hearing decision, a master checklist of important concepts covered in the manual, and answers to the self-test questions at the end of each manual chapter are appended. (DLS)