Designed to gather data about emerging information needs in education, technological opportunities for more effective information systems and dissemination programs, and economic factors related to systems operations and use, this study and its data are ultimately intended to be used for making program recommendations and suggesting policy options at the federal level. It was conducted as a modified Delphi process involving 45 participants representing various education and information communities and reflecting different experiences and perspectives. The results of two Delphi studies were used as a basis for further discussions at two corresponding symposiums including participants from the Delphi groups; these in turn served as forums to reach a consensus about issues, trends, and preferred courses of action for the federal government. This report identifies those facts, trends, and recommendations of most immediate interest to federal planners which obtained a substantial consensus of opinion. These are presented in three major subsections: information needs, technological options, and economic factors influencing information systems for education. A list of participants is appended. (RAA)