These guidelines for conducting a self-evaluation by individual elementary schools and evaluation by a visiting committee are the result of a three-year project of the National Study of School Evaluation. The guidelines are organized in several sections. The "manual" provides an overview of the evaluation process and explains how the illustrative materials may be used. The section on "School and Community" and "Philosophy, Objectives, and Commitments" form the foundation for the process. The next two sections focus on the formal educational program, followed by a section on the organization of the curriculum. The fifth section is intended for use in evaluating each area of learning the school identifies. Two sections deal with the evaluation of the staff, and the final three sections address themselves to a variety of student services. Each self-evaluation section includes the rating of stated principles, analysis of the nature of the program, definition of the strengths and weaknesses of the program, plans for improvement, and a current status scale. (Author/BW)