Problems associated with uncoordinated proliferation of data collection procedures will not be alleviated until educational agencies and legislative bodies, at both state and federal levels, view data as a scarce resource which must be managed efficiently. Better linkages must be made between the data transfer requirements generated by the legislative process and effective administrative procedures. A centrally controlled, computerized data base system with decentralized data access could optimize efficiency by condensing and storing data, while maintaining the same levels of data and administrative report generating capability. (Author/CMV)