As the new special education Title 5 regulations for eligibility criteria are implemented throughout California, a major concern is their impact on the learning handicapped student population. During the past two years, the effects of implementing criteria similar to those adopted by California have been studied in a large suburban district. The studies gathered test score information, grade, psychological processing information and user reactions. In addition, the 1982-83 study analyzed information on 225 students identified as having specific learning disabilities to determine the amount of the ability-achievement discrepancy, the effects of applying part or full-scale ability scores, and to compare the number of identifications with those of previous years. Findings from the 1982-83 study included confirmation of the criteria as identifying students from average ability ranges and support from users that the criteria are appropriate for identifying students with learning disabilities. (Author)