The handbook reviews the history and current state of the art of special education for exceptional bilingual students and provides approaches for development of programs. Ties between bilingual and exceptional education are traced historically; then legislation to assure equal opportunity is reviewed. Definitions, characteristics, and special considerations with bilingual students for such exceptionalities as mental retardation and giftedness are described. A discussion on assessment includes problems associated with the prereferral process and testing, and self study questions for school districts, individual schools, and staff regarding assessment procedures. Parents' needs, rights, roles, and strategies to encourage participation are covered briefly. Program options such as developing an individualized education plan for ethnolinguistic minority students and designing instructional environments are explained. A model for program development based on a needs assessment is outlined. (MC)