DEVELOPED BY APPROXIMATELY 700 SPECIAL EDUCATORS OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, THIS DOCUMENT IS A STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS APPROPRIATE TO THE PRESENT STATUS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION. STANDARDS PRETAINING TO INSTITUTIONS OFFERING PREPARATION PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE OUTLINED WITH SUPPLEMENTARY STANDARDS FOR THE SPECIFIC AREAS OF BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS, DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, GIFTED, MENTALLY RETARDED, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, SPEECH AND HEARING, VISUALLY HANDICAPPED, ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION, AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMS. GUIDELINES FOR THE PROFESSIONAL COMPENTENCIES OF STUDENTS IN EACH AREA OUTLINE CONTENT OF COURSEWORK AND PRACTICUM FOR GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION. RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROGRAMS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION ARE OUTLINED. THE CODE OF ETHICS OF THE EDUCATION PROFESSION IS INTERPRETED AS IT RELATES TO SPECIAL EDUCATION. THE REFERENCE LIST CITES 19 ITEMS. THIS DOCUMENT WAS PUBLISHED AS STOCK NUMBER 551-20944 BY THE COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN, 1201 16TH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036, AND IS AVAILABLE FOR $1.25. (MY)