An adult basic education (ABE) program for mentally retarded young adults between the ages of 14 and 26 years, Project Evolve can provide education agencies for educationally handicapped children with detailed information concerning an innovative program. The manual format was developed through interviews with professional educators concerning the question: "What would you need to know about a project before you could make a decision to adopt it in whole or in part?" Project Evolve serves only those individuals having the greatest potential for success in the community. A maximum of 60 students are enrolled in the program at any one time, with a single co-educational cottage housing all 60 ABE students. As preparation for community living, the program provides simulated home living in the cottage and on-the-job vocational training. Instruction is individualized and students' behavior is managed with accepted principles of behavior modification. Progressive program stages include: basic reading skills, time and money, on-campus social/vocational adjustment training, on-campus vocational training, and off-campus vocational and living program. Staff includes both professional and paraprofessional members. The Higginsville Behavioral Scale is used to assess behavior skills of students before entering and during the program. One-half of the document consists of appendixes. (EA)