This theme issue includes five articles that focus on educational policy in the Texas legislature in relation to student retention, Internet access, and sexual harassment. "1999 Texas Legislative Session--End of an Era?" (Albert Cortez, Maria Robledo Montecel) examines educational equity issues facing legislators: school funding, including the facilities allotment, funding formulas, and special program allotments; disciplinary alternative education programs; reporting of student dropout rates; reading initiatives; public money for private schooling; and affirmative action in higher education. "Retention Fails, but Continues To Be Promoted" (Pam McCollum) reviews national and state histories of retention policies, including social promotion versus in-grade retention, the failures and costs of social promotion, summer schools, transitional schools, research on retention, and alternatives to retention. "The E-Rate and the Battle for Equity in Educational Technology" (Felix Montes) discusses the Internet as a vital resource, whether the government should intervene to ensure equity, the current status of the Telecommunications Act and E-rate, and efforts to save the E-rate. "Reflections: Making Policy through the State Board of Education" (Joe J. Bernal) gives a state board member's view on what an individual member can accomplish by reviewing his efforts to reform the Texas social studies curriculum. "Sexual Harassment: Historical Background and Litigation Update" (Maria Aurora Yanez) briefly reviews the legislative and legal history of sexual harassment, its impact on students, recent legislation and litigation, and related services available from the IDRA Desegregation Assistance Center. Also included in this issue is a cumulative index for January 1998-December 1998 and a sidebar listing the theme for each 1998 issue. (SAS)