To prevent policy-making from being fragmented into a series of ad hoc and disjointed decisions, it is important to be as clear as possible about the policy-making framework within which decision-making is to operate. School boards that aspire toward enhancing their policy-making function are here provided with a basic structure for policy-making. Policy-making means setting the general direction in which the school system charts its course, and the manner in which the schools are to be operated. The policy-making framework presented here is a six-step process that involves answering several questions: (1) What ought to be? (2) What is the current state of affairs? (3) What is the problem? (4) What are the alternative solutions? (5) What shall be the policy? (6) What are the results of the policy? The first question involves the consideration of values, a consideration vital to policy-making because of values' influence on aspirations, goals, and perception of reality. Determining the difference between the answer to question one and the answer to question two constitutes needs assessment. Question six is vital because policy evaluation is necessary to correct policy malfunction. (Author/JM)