This manual is designed to help advocates, including parents, obtain special education for children with disabilities residing in New Jersey. It explains the requirements of the federal statute governing special education--the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)--and the federal regulations implementing IDEA, as well as the state regulations implementing IDEA. A summary of the federal and state laws can be found in the first appendix of this manual. In addition, the manual gives practical information about the special education system, and suggests ways to advocate for an appropriate education for children with disabilities. The intent of this manual is to provide information and guidance to advocates so that all children with disabilities in the state can achieve high standards and receive an education that prepares them for full participation in society. Appended are: (1) Legal Background; (2) State Regulations Defining Disability Categories; (3) State Regulations Defining Eligibility for Speech-Language Services in New Jersey; (4) Sample Parent Letter Requesting an Evaluation; (5) Sample Parent Letter Requesting a Re-Evaluation; (6) Sample Parent Letter Requesting an Independent Evaluation; (7) Sample Parent Letter Requesting IEP Services; (8) Sample Parent Letter Requesting IEP Team Member Presence at IEP Meeting; (9) Criteria for "Alternative Education Programs" and "Home or Out -of-School Instruction"; (10) Definitions for "Dangerous Weapon,""Serious Bodily Injury," "Controlled Substance" and "Illegal Drug"; (11) General Tips for Parents; (12) Advocacy and Information Resources; (13) New Jersey Department of Education County Supervisors of Child Study; (14) Parental Request for Mediation/Due Process Hearing/Expedited Due Process Hearing; (15) Parental Request for Emergent Relief; (16) New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs Complaint Form; (17) New Jersey Department of Education Parental Request for Enforcement of a Mediation Agreement; (18) New Jersey Department of Education Parental Request for Enforcement of Decision Issued by the Office of Administrative Law; and (19) Sample Parent Letter Requesting School Records. (Contains 683 endnotes.) [The original version of this manual was written by Ellen Boylan with assistance from Elizabeth Athos, Ruth Lowenkron, and Elisabeth Yap. This Second Edition was edited with assistance from Ruth Lowenkron. It was made possible with funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.]