An attempt is made, in this paper, to develop a model that would apply ethnographic research techniques to public school research and systems. The model presented consists of three developmental phases. In the first phase two basic approaches to field design, either of which can be used are described: the emergent categories approach, in which the anthropologist is interested in the operation of the school; and the behavior of students, teachers, and staff, or the pre-determined categories approach, in which the anthropologist has identified an issue or a problem for study prior to the initial stages of field research. Phase two of the model consists of a description of the problems of selecting a school for research, as well as the techniques for gaining entry permission in order to carry out ethnographic research and the processes that affect working relations with public school authorities and personnel. In phase three, anthropological issues and methods are presented, expecially participation-observation techniques. In the final section of the paper, a list of possible subjects and topics of interest to anthropologists for research purposes is presented. (Author/JR)