This paper is an attempt by James G. Miller to apply the concepts of a general systems theory to increase the understanding of the educational process. He classifies the elements of the educational process into levels of living systems: the organism level--student, parent, teacher, etc.; the group level--the class in the classroom; the organization level--the schools, colleges and universities; the society level--the national education system; and the supranational level, as in UNESCO. Each of these levels is discussed in terms of a systems theory. (GO)