Handicapped students are now protected by specific statutes in addition to the broad constitutional protection offered all students. As the number of related statutes, regulations, and case law decisions grew, assimilation became increasingly difficult. This publication attempts to meet educators' need for a succinct guide in special education law. The first chapter presents the historical background and summarizes the three most important "laws" affecting handicapped children: the Fourteenth Amendment; section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 973; and The Education of the Handicapped Act, as amended by Public Law 94-142. Chapter 2 discusses the controversies over handicapped students regarding identification, evaluation, individualized education program (IEP) preparation, placement, and procedural safeguards. The topic of chapter 3 is federal law compliance in the matter of student records--access rights, accessible records, and amending records--along with policy requirements for school boards. When and how handicapped students may be disciplined by school officials is examined in chapter 4. Legal issues, in regard to minimum competency testing, that affect handicapped students are discussed in chapter 5. The final chapter discusses physical education and sports participation by handicapped students. A table of cases precedes the main body of the book, and an index is appended. (Author/MLF)