This collection of papers examines contemporary issues and problems in bilingual special education. The first paper, by Lizette A. Cantres, discusses Federal and State laws and regulations related to bilingual special education, with respect to litigation in the case of "Jose P." The problems of assessment of bilingual children under a monolinguistic testing system are examined in the second paper, by Rafaela E. Weffer; the author presents a study of twenty Hispanic children and explores issues raised by a review of the literature. A third paper, by Eva M. Gavillan-Torres, examines the processes for diagnosing and serving Hispanic children who are believed to be mentally retarded or to have learning disorders or speech and hearing impairments. In the fourth paper, author Rosa Maria Gil examines the relationship between cultural attitudes toward mental illness and the use of mental health services among groups of Puerto Rican mothers and their elementary school children. The final paper in the collection is by Carmen D. Ortiz and discusses the masters degree program in special education at Bank Street College of Education as a model for standards in teacher training; this paper identifies a variety of special education professionals and defines their functions and required competencies. (Author/JCD)