Four approaches to assessing the potential for asbestos exposure in schools were evaluated: (1) a proposed exposure-ranking system or algorithm, (2) bulk sampling and analysis of the asbestos-containing materials, (3) a measurement of stimulated fiber release, and (4) air sampling. The scoring consistency was evaluated for the factors in the algorithm; friability and activity was scored with the least consistency, and exposure and the presence of air-moving systems with the most consistency. Scoring consistency improved with rater training. The variability in the determination of asbestos content was found to be associated with the laboratory analysis more so than with the sampling process. False negatives were found to occur, even at asbestos levels greater than 10 percent. The potential for release of fibers by physical disturbance of the asbestos-containing material was demonstrated with the use of a vibrator in contact with ceilings in schools; the releasability was found to increase with asbestos content and friability. Only a limited effort was devoted to air sampling, it was done for short periods (1 hour), and the analyses were done by phase microscopy (which detects only the fibers longer than 5 microns with an aspect ratio greater than 3:1). The airborne fiber levels were less than 0.07 fibers/cc in all cases but one.