Monitoring is an ongoing and systematic activity which provides school districts, private schools, private Early Childhood Services operators, and Alberta Education with information needed to determine whether policies and programs are being implemented as planned, are meeting basic Provincial requirements, and what improvements are needed. Monitoring allows for descriptions and reviews of (1) programs implemented in local jurisdictions, (2) local policy positions, (3) participation rates, and (4) the opinions of superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. This document, designed to assist Regional Offices of Education in the monitoring of educational programs, contains (1) general information about monitoring; (2) an outline of policies, guidelines, and procedures for monitoring; (3) an overview of the monitoring responsibilities of the Regional Offices of Education; and (4) monitoring forms for the following Special Needs programs: Early Childhood Services, Educational Opportunities, Official and Other Languages, English as a Second Language, School Extension, Special Education Teacher Inservice, and Vocational Education. The handbook concludes with a summary form for observations, general assessment, and recommendations. (IW)