FROM 1932 TO 1965, THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE UNITED STATES DECREASED FROM 127,649 TO 26,802. IN NEW ENGLAND, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF LESS THAN 100 DISTRICTS. NEW ENGLAND IS IN THE PROCESS OF CONVERTING FROM AN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY TO AN ELECTRICAL AND TECHNICAL ECONOMY. SCHOOL REDISTRICTING MUST OCCUR ALONG WITH THIS CONVERSION. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR FORCES WHICH WILL PRECIPITATE A REVISION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTING PATTERNS--(1) THE IMPATIENT LAYMAN WHO REFUSES TO FINANCE SMALL SECONDARY AND GRADE SCHOOLS, (2) FEDERAL PROGRAMS WHICH OFFER VARIOUS INCENTIVE PACKAGES, AND (3) TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WHO DESIRE MORE MANAGEABLE JOBS AND MORE HUMANE WORKING CONDITIONS. REDISTRICTING INTO SCHOOL DISTRICTS SERVING 50,000 STUDENTS WOULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN NEW ENGLAND FROM 1,609 TO 48. SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR REORGANIZATION WILL COME FROM (1) CULTURAL CHANGES, (2) ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND THE LEVEL OF CIVILIZATION REQUIRING AN UPDATING OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND (3) THE RECOGNITION THAT THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THESE STATES IS IN JEOPARDY. (HW)