THE INTERMEDIATE OR COUNTY AREA OF EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES TO SMALL LOCAL DISTRICTS AND CONSULTATIVE SERVICES TO LARGER DISTRICTS, WHILE PERFORMING REPORTING FUNCTIONS TO STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION. SINCE GROWTH IN POPULATION AND DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION AND REORGANIZATION ARE GREATLY REDUCING THE NEED FOR DIRECT SERVICES TO LOCAL DISTRICTS, THE EXISTENCE OF COUNTY OR REGIONAL SUPERINTENDENTS WILL DEPEND ON THEIR ADAPTABILITY TO THE INCREASING NEED FOR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES AND COORDINATION BETWEEN LOCAL DISTRICTS. SETTING HIGH CERTIFICATION STANDARDS, PROVIDING ADEQUATE STATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, APPOINTING RATHER THAN ELECTING INTERMEDIATE UNIT SUPERINTENDENTS, AND REORGANIZING THE INTERMEDIATE UNIT UNDER A REGIONAL CONCEPT ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE IN EMPHASIS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF COUNTY AND RURAL AREA SUPERINTENDENTS (16TH, PITTSBURGH, OCTOBER 1-3, 1961). (JEH)