The importance of analyzing laboratory situations in a technical school special needs area is increasing rapidly. Such a system is essential for objectively analyzing the content of laboratories and describing the tasks performed there in a standardized and easily understood manner. The laboratory description can be easily used to provide program placement information to advisors of special needs students. It becomes a basic document for special needs staff orientation and student assessment. The laboratory analysis used in this document was based on a job analysis technique developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. This system identifies and describes in a systematic, succinct manner the following components: (1) what the student is required to do in the laboratory in terms of activities or functions; (2) how the laboratory activities are done--the methods, techniques, or processes involved, and the devices used; (3) student characteristics--the skills, knowledge, abilities, and adaptabilities needed to accomplish the laboratory activities; (4) the results of the laboratory activities--the goods produced, services given, and materials used; and (5) the context of the laboratories in terms of environmental factors and the nature of the student's discretion, responsibility, or accountability. The use of this adaptation of job analysis techniques within a vocational technical school's laboratory will allow for increased access, increased quality, and increased success for special needs students in vocational education. (KC)