EDUCATION HAS BEEN SLOW IN FULLY UTILIZING ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (EDP). EDUCATOR CONFIDENCE IN THE EDP HAS GROWN, HOWEVER, AS A RESULT OF THE SUCCESS OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING IN SCIENCE, INDUSTRY, AND OTHER PROFESSIONS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOLID STATE TRANSISTORIZED COMPUTERS HAS MADE POWERFUL DESK-SIZE COMPUTERS A REALITY AND WITHIN THE BUDGET OF MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DEVELOPING ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING INSTALLATIONS AND HIRING APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL TO OPERATE SUCH FACILITIES AS A RESULT OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT. ONE OF THE SERIOUS DRAWBACKS A SCHOOL FACES WHEN CONSIDERING A COMPUTER IS THE PROBLEM OF PROGRAMING THE MACHINE. AREAS FOR EDP INCLUDE SCHOOL ACCOUNTING, SCHEDULING, REPORTING, AND STUDENT RECORDS. ADEQUATE USAGE OF EDR IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF SUCH PROBLEMS AS FINANCES, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO BUY OR RENT EQUIPMENT, COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES, LEGAL PROBLEMS, INERTIA OF EDUCATOR ATTITUDES, THE FEAR OF DEHUMANIZING EDUCATION, LACK OF TRAINED PERSONNEL, THE STATE OF COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT WHICH DESIGNS MACHINES BEFORE CONSIDERING SPECIFIC PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED, AND TRAINING AND STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS. AN EXAMPLE OF AN AUTOMATED PUPIL ATTENDANCE PROGRAM IS PRESENTED. POINTS OF DESCRIPTION IN THE PROGRAM INCLUDE PURPOSES, PARAMETERS, HISTORICAL ASPECTS, PROCEDURES, AND ADDITIONAL IMPLICATIONS.