Written to assist both work experience education coordinators and special education teachers, this collection of key issues provides an introduction to work experience education (WEE) for students with exceptional needs. Various aspects of program operation are addressed, including parent support, student assessment, developing work placements in the community, Supplemental Security Income, the WEE coordinator, and the WEE classroom-related instruction. Discussed in a section on additional considerations in WEE are personnel, transportation, incentive stipends, funding, other types of occupational training, prevocational and career development, and WEE graduates with disabilities. Federal and state laws for WEE are covered. Included in appendixes to the manual are a list of alternatives in vocational classes for students with exceptional needs, definitions, a career/vocational checklist, publisher addresses, an assessment review chart, information for training supervisors of students with handicaps, a list of resources, and forms for implementing and evaluating WEE programs. (A companion trainer's guide is available separately--see note.) (MN)