The effect on state legislation of a united body of principals can be significant. This author explains how bills affecting education can be initiated, fought for, and passed. (Editor)

Knowing and contacting your congressman is an important part of every educator's efforts to influence legislation and to be politically alert, writes the author, but also important is knowing how the federal agencies most closely related to education are organized and operate. He gives a bird's eye view here. (Editor)

This article relates the experience of one state principals' association in influencing the passage of desirable legislation. The legislative network described here has worked for Massachusetts. (Editor)

Questions the current push to improve education through legislation of higher standards in education. In Virginia the school boards association distributes a handbook of policies and resolutions to state legislators and asks that schools delinquent in standards be placed in receivership rather than impose educational reforms from above that are…

The ideas, suggestions, and personal beliefs presented here have been gleaned by the author over a long period of time from a wide range of experiences in the political and educational arenas. The writer wishes to make the political process more accessible to local and state principals' associations. (Editor)

The governor of Texas discusses the adoption of the Texas Educational Opportunity Act in 1984 and its effects on the state. Also discussed is the declining role of the federal government in funding of education and how the states have absorbed massive cuts in funding in critical areas of education. (MD)

The governors of the states of Tennessee, Utah, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Texas were interviewed on educational reform in their states. Their interviews show agreement in seven areas relating to educational reform. Presents excerpts from the interviews focusing on six questions. (MD)

The fragmentation of educational lobbies, the loosening of party control, lawmakers' growing knowledge of educational issues, and their willingness to listen to their constituents--all these trends enhance the possibility of the principal's making his voice heard. Now is the time to influence state educational policy making. (Editor)

All educators, legislators, and citizens must engage in self-examination to resolve some of the value conflicts in our society that contribute to today's crisis in education. Suggestions are offered to school board members, administrators, teachers, public officials, and citizens for ways they can help improve the educational system. (Author/WD)