The Conference Board's Special Executive Council has commissioned a series of studies into the implications and effects of information technology. This report is a formulation of the more compelling issues in these studies that call for immediate policy-level attention. The propositions and initiatives which were formulated are discussed in chapters covering areas such as understanding information technology; the need for an independent center to formulate national information policy; impacts of information technology on questions of individual privacy and the public interest; sociological impact of information technology on changing values, concepts, and life styles; the desirability, requirements, and priorities for the development of new nationwide information systems; implications of information technology for management; uses of information technology and the systems approach for national problem solving, resources allocation, and opportunity development; importance of research and development; closing the literacy gap between users and nonusers of communications technology; and educating and maintaining talents and skills essential to an information dependent society. ED 060 907 is a related document. (SH)