Suggests that school counselors, because of their expertise in human relations skills, may assume the role of advocate for handicapped students and their parents. The counselor can help parents prepare for the Individualized Education Program meeting and encourage parent participation. (JAC)

Addresses the intricacies of the independent evaluation provision for exceptional children, suggests ways that school counselors can guide exceptional children's parents through this assessment process, and provides a case study example demonstrating the potential harm of an inappropriate independent evaluation. (BH)