The purpose of this study was to determine the educational background characteristics of data processing instructors and their needs for further preparation in the data processing area. Three types of institutions in Minnesota and Wisconsin were identified as pertinent sources of information: (1) secondary schools, (2) post secondary technical institutes, and (3) two year community colleges. A survey questionnaire was sent to data processing teachers at these types of institutions. Based on the survey findings, recommendations were made both for inservice and preservice education of data processing teachers and for further research. Appended are the survey instrument, data processing textbooks in use, and teacher needs in the areas of data processing content and data processing teaching competencies. (STS)