An orientation to management information systems (MIS) is offered which presents information about MIS in the context of public education and suggests some considerations that should be taken into account in designing and operating such systems. MIS is defined as a set of operating procedures that act as a control system to automatically provide information assistance to decision-makers, but that are separate from any particular technology. A system framework for MIS is presented which takes into account PPBS (Planning-Programming-Budgeting Systems), PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), CPM (Critical Path Method), decision trees, and fault tree analysis. Components of MIS are discussed--the data element, the personnel element, the display element, equipment element, and programing element. Steps in developing a MIS--requirements, design, production, installation, and operations--are identified. Descriptions are provided of some applications of MIS for general administration, curriculum design and review, personnel evaluation, and research and development in instruction. The role of computers in MIS is discussed in terms of their place in the total system framework. (JY)