The trainer's manual was written for use with teachers in the field and provides guides for teaching a mini-course on cirterion referenced assessment of children with learning difficulties. There are four sessions outlined, each having an overview of participant goals and trainer activities and a list of objectives for the session. A syllabus is provided in session 1. It is explained that the objectives for the course are the development of the ability to determine specific learning needs of students who demonstrate a variety of learning difficulties. Participants will examine the usefulness of criterion referenced assessment procedures and become acquainted with basic principles and techniques for assessing academic skills. Then participants will select one academic area, devise a criterion referenced test, administer the test to one or more students and identify specific learning needs and objectives based on the test results. (Author/PHR)