The handbook is designed to help parents and advocates understand their roles in the education of handicapped children. Topics covered in separate chapters are (sample subtopics in parentheses): family supports (other parents as support, advocacy, resources, parent group organizations, typical parents' feelings); screening (cautions, notification requirements, common tests used); evaluation (labels, individualized education programs, independent evaluations, diagnostic and testing terms); individualized educational plan (IEP) on placement (legal roles, IEP conferences); placement (factors in decision making, least restrictive environment); IEP for instruction (role of a good instructional plan); and fair hearings and due process (mediation, lawyers). Each chapter details the process, the parents' role, and tools for that particular topic. (CL)