This report is a digest of a larger work, "Developments in Paid Leave of Absence," a report including case studies and analysis of the collective experience of nine European countries and the United States with paid educational leave. Section I defines paid educational leave as "leave given to an employee for educational purposes for a specified period during working hours, with adequate financial entitlements." Section II discusses developments within the International Labor Organization and that body's recent acceptance of a convention on paid educational leave. The history of the support of the concept by the Center for Educational Research and Innovation of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is also recounted. Section III summarizes a study of the paid educational leave programs in 10 countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia). Section IV reviews the interest shown, the perspective, the potential benefits, and the roles played by labor, management, government, and education with regard to paid educational leave as it developed in various countries. The final section highlights the potential significance of paid educational leave, recrurrent education, and continuing education and offers some suggestions for adjustments in American educational policy and practice. A biographical note on the author is included. (LMS)