The study to determine ways in which the educational programs for the deaf and hard of hearing in California's public schools might be strengthened and improved was undertaken by the State Department of Education, assisted by statewide committees of teachers and administrators involved in programs for the deaf. The final report, consisting of recommended guidelines for statewide planning for the education of the deaf and severely hard of hearing, covers eight aspects of the educational program: special educational provisions, minimum essentials for preschool and elementary programs, minimum essentials for high school programs, assignment of pupils to regular classes, program of evaluation, industrial arts and vocational-technical courses, programs for pupils with additional handicaps, and policies and procedures for admission, transfer, and dismissal. (KW)