This paper is concerned with policy-making and policy processes in education and with the role of the administrator in these processes. More specifically it aims to explore ten conceptual tools or models that appear to have utility in developing our understanding of these areas. This examination includes policy-making and policy processes in educational organizations and agencies and also policy-making for or with respect to education by legislatures, politicians, and central departments or agencies of government. The ten theories or models examined are the rational or classical, incremental, political interest group, bargaining, Lowi policy typology, political systems, democratic voting, organization, garbage can, and process. Research clearly demonstrates that adminstrators can be involved to a major extent in all stages of the policy process. The role of the adminstrator in policy processes is many-sided. The role considered here is mediator. In a number of senses, the senior educational administrator acts as a mediator between various forces and groups impinging on the educational agency or organization from the outside and also operating within the agency or organization itself. (Author/IRT)