Presented in this document are a description of Chapter 766, Massachusetts legislation governing education for youth with special needs, and a compilation of guidelines and procedures affecting the core evaluation of student turned over to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) by the courts. Requirements of the Core Evaluation Team (CET) and core evaluation guidelines, including referral procedures and specific assessment responsibilities of the CET's chairperson, social worker, physician, psychologist, perceptual motor/vocational specialist, and consulting communications specialists, are described. Also outlined are the requirements and objectives of a core evaluation meeting and criteria for designing individual educational plans for students. Regulations and procedures for implementing an educational plan for a particular youth are given. A summary chart, a glossary of terms, and a sample core evaluation are included. (EB)