The challenge of accelerating the process of modernization faces educators today in the Arab countries of the Middle East. This paper offers two propositions. The first is that the key to any purposeful innovation in society lies with the administrative systems of that society. The second is that the school in most third world countries represents the major educational institution capable of accelerating the modernization process. Consequently, the paper argues that the Arab countries of the Middle East must adopt advanced technologies in industry, defense, agriculture, and government, with priority given to improvement of the administrative systems of education. The paper discusses the problems of educational administration in the Middle East, its organizational structure, and the inadequacy of its information systems. It concludes that the school itself is in need of reform and change. Such change can be introduced only if educational administration is developed further to provide the necessary leadership and vision. (Author/LD)