Twenty-seven special education students in self-contained classes whose behavior met DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) diagnostic criteria for an ODD diagnosis were matched according to age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, math and reading scores, and IQ with 27 special education students in self-contained classes who did not meet ODD diagnostic criteria. Teachers rated students who met DSM-IV criteria for ODD as having fewer social skills, lower academic competence, and more problem behaviors than special education students whose behavior did not meet criteria for an ODD diagnosis. Results suggest that students with ODD symptoms would benefit from social skills instruction.