This report is one of a series primarily intended for those engaged in or preparing for educational planning and administration--especially in developing countries--as well as for those government officials and civic leaders seeking a more general understanding of educational planning and its role in overall national development. This booklet traces the historical development of educational planning and indicates some directions it will take in the future. Three current approaches to planning are discussed: "social demand,""manpower," and "rate of return." The author sees a future need for more forms of microplanning that apply to the inner processes of the system and its numerous subsystems. He concludes that eventually educational planning will include (1)refinement of objectives; (2) evaluation of system performance; (3) systems approach to educational design; (4) new management styles and measures, including program budgeting, program evaluation and review technique, and techniques of cost benefit analysis; and (5) intensified research and development. A related document is EA 033 524. (Author/EA)