PLANNING-PROGRAMMING-BUDGETING SYSTEMS (PPBS) ARE INTENDED TO FACILITATE THE KINDS OF INFORMATION AND DATA ANALYSIS WHICH FURNISH ADMINISTRATORS WITH A MORE COMPLETE BASIS FOR RATIONAL CHOICE. NEUTRAL ON THE ISSUES OF COST REDUCTION, PPBS IS DESIGNED TO FOSTER ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY. ADVANTAGES WHICH IT OFFERS OVER TRADITIONAL PRACTICES INCLUDE--(1) PROGRAM-ORIENTED INFORMATION, (2) ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS AND OBJECTIVES, (3) LONG-RANGE PLANS AND EVALUATIVE CRITERIA, (4) USE OF CONTEMPORARY MANAGEMENT SCIENCE CONCEPTS TO IMPROVE UTILIZATION OF TEACHER COMPETENCE, (5) STRUCTURAL FLEXIBILITY AND PARTICIPATORY PLANNING, AND (6) REPORT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN THE SCHOOL BUDGET DOCUMENT. SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATION OF THE PROGRAM BUDGETING FORMAT IS DEPENDENT UPON COMPLETION OF THREE KINDS OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES--(1) PROGRAM CLASSIFICATION, STRUCTURAL DESIGN, AND PLANNING MATRICES, (2) PROGRAMMING, SYSTEMS ANALYSIS, AND BUDGETING, AND (3) INFORMATION SUPPORT, EVALUATION, AND PROGRAM REVISION. THE KEY TO RESOLVING RECENT EDUCATIONAL DISPUTES HAS BEEN LARGELY FINANCIAL. FOCUS UPON PROGRAMS WOULD ALLOW TEACHERS, BOARDS OF EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATORS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO SEEK RESOURCES FOR NEEDED PROGRAMS, RATHER THAN FOR SELFISH ENDS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED TO THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION (CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, FEBRUARY 8-10, 1968). (HM)