Shortcomings of the "Seriously Emotionally Disturbed" (S.E.D.) criteria set forth in Public Law 94-142 are discussed and the possibility of integrating other classification methods, specifically those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM III), is raised and critiqued. Findings of a study surveying the opinions of school psychologists on the acceptability of the S.E.D. criteria and of DSM III are then reported. Questionnaires were mailed to 381 school psychologists in Texas where the adoption of aspects of DSM III is being considered, and 291 were returned for a 77% return rate. Results indicated that 54% view the S.E.D. criteria as not very adequate at best and 67% agree or strongly agree with the proposed adoption of a set of classifications from the DSM III to specify type and severity of emotional disturbance. On 9 of 10 items directly comparing the S.E.D. guidelines and DSM III, the majority voiced strong consistent support for DSM III. Associated with the positive opinions about DSM III were: (1) respondent's district used it, (2) respondent had adequate knowledge of DSM III, (3) respondent had experience with DSM III, and (4) respondent considered the S.E.D. criteria inadequate. Caution is urged regarding use of DSM III until additional research is completed. (Author/CL)