AN INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION UNIT, ORGANIZED AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL AND COVERING SUFFICIENT AREA TO WARRANT EMPLOYMENT OF A STAFF OF SPECIALISTS, IS CAPABLE OF OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND THUS OCCUPIES A UNIQUE NICHE IN THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING. THE ACTIVITIES OF AN INTERMEDIATE UNIT MAY BE CATEGORIZED INTO (1) ARTICULATIVE, OR LOCALIZATION OF STATE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES, (2) COORDINATIVE, OR EFFORTS WHICH ARE MADE TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY ON A REGIONAL BASIS, AND (3) SUPPLEMENTARY, OR PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS. BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE UTILIZATION OF INTERMEDIATE UNITS INCLUDE (1) CONSOLIDATION OF SMALLER SCHOOL UNITS, THEREBY ENABLING ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, (2) RETENTION OF LOCAL CONTROL IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS, (3) UNIFORM EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, (4) ASSURED ECONOMY OF OPERATION, AND (5) IMPROVED EDUCATION THROUGH COORDINATED EFFORTS AMONG SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE SOLUTION OF COMMON PROBLEMS. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR $0.60 FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. (DA)