Following an introduction of the systems approach for handling information, a proposal is made for an educational data system for the South Carolina school system. Input data provided by schools, school districts, and professional personnel are to be processed for use primarily by various units of the State Education Department. This department has the responsibility of coordinating the systems in the State to develop procedures for transferring data essential to each district's operations. The data will be used to facilitate educational program planning, test scoring, evaluation, research, scheduling, simulations, and computer-assisted instruction. Appended are a statement of the philosophy of the State Board of Education, a review of the South Carolina Department of Education by the U.S. Office of Education, a Management Information System report by the State Department of Education, and an analysis of computer needs by I. B. M. Corporation. (DE)