This paper identifies the directions in which new developments in educational planning are moving and draws some conclusions on how the training of specialists in the field of educational planning is likely to be affected by changing notions and practices. The first part of the paper outlines the assumptions that have characterized the field in recent years. These assumptions are concerned with planning as social research; the distribution of education; the quantity, quality, and content of educational planning; educational planning at subnational levels; and what lies beyond the design of educational plans. Against this background, the second section briefly reviews how the changes discussed are likely to affect the role and the competencies required of the people who will be in charge of planning and the relationship of these changes to the training of planners. The areas discussed are the research component in training; distribution, disparities, and equality in education; the determinants of educational outcomes; regional and local planning; and the implementation and evaluation of educational plans. (Author/IRT)