Educational objectives and practices related to computer technology in the Hessen (Federal Republic of Germany) schools are outlined, with an emphasis on secondary education. For the past decade, a new school subject, informatics, has been promoted by the State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. Objectives are to provide students with a familiarity with algorithms and their programming, insight into construction and functioning of a computer, and knowledge of the applications and effects of informatics. In Hessen, information technology is currently treated as a separate subject only in certain branches of schools, because of the need for teacher training and considerable investment costs of equipment. However, over half of the gymnasiums and vocational schools and 26 percent of the comprehensive schools have computer equipment. Informatics is considered a school subject for senior gymnasiums and can be chosen as the third or fourth subject in the University Entrance Examination. Informatics classes are also offered in some junior high schools. Vocational schools stress the use of computers as tools for data processing and programming and for job training in the business sector. The future tasks of the State of Hessen will be to develop relevant teaching courses and to provide schools with contemporary equipment. (KC)