This manual was developed as a resource to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in conducting assessment of special needs students in Missouri. The six chapters of the manual contain basic information on the following topics: (1) legal requirements in assessment, (2) screening/referral, (3) multidisciplinary evaluation, (4) diagnostic report writing, (5) program planning and evaluation, and (6) assessment of the disadvantaged. The manual takes a holistic approach to assessment, suggesting the use of all available information and data in order to determine appropriate placement, curriculum, instruction, support services, and resources. The manual explains the assessment process from both the special education and vocational education perspectives and illustrates the relationship to each other of the information and data needs of both. Appendixes to the guide contain a sample letter to parents, informal assessment instrument samples, samples of special assessment summaries and special adjustment recommendations, and a list of resources in Missouri. (KC)