The Conference's major purpose was to determine areas of investigation which would provide information that would help to shape future policies and means of overcoming educational disadvantage. However, the Conference also focused on positive aspects of education in country regions and the studies proposed as an outcome of the Conference are seen as seeking information that would illuminate positive features as well as problem areas. The Conference recognized that the problems associated with establishing policies relating to country education stem from a diversity in prevailing conditions in the various regions and from a lack of documented evidence of the provision of services, of the problems of children in isolated areas, and of the changing patterns of rural life and job opportunity in Australia. The main proposal of the Conference is that the Schools Commission initiate and support a coordinated program of research into country education. The Conference identified three types of study: a major investigation focusing on a sample of country areas across Australia; studies relating to specific issues in country education thought to be nationally relevant; and collection of information from education systems about developments in country education and methods of delivering educational resources and services to country areas. (Author/BRR)