The term "open education" is used to designate the curriculum and instruction methods associated with an open plan school -- one without interior walls. Such a program consists of more advanced children assisting those less advanced, independent study, children progressing at their own rate, extensive use of the outdoor environment, child-initiated activities, integrated curriculums, and teachers functioning as guides and as facilitators of learning. Under such a plan, highly structured curriculums and uniform instructional materials have no place. The emphasis is on learning, and any resource that stimulates the interest of the student becomes a legitimate field of inquiry. Among the problems of open education are (1) the need for time, (2) some minimal structure to insure continuity in subsequent years, and (3) the need for teaching and administrative personnel with experience in open education. This booklet focuses on the elementary school inasmuch as open education is being practiced more extensively at that level. (RA)