This theme issue focuses on the drastic revision of the Texas education code undertaken during the 1995 state legislative session. "Education Policy Reform: Key Points for Districts" (Albert Cortez, Mikki Symonds) outlines critical issues in the legislation that have an impact on educational quality: charter schools exempt from state regulations; public education vouchers for school choice; facilities funding; bilingual education; compensatory education; school finance formula; textbook selection; student behavior problems and discipline; teacher salaries, rights, and certification; and parent rights and responsibilities. "Legal Challenges to New Education Code Foreseeable" (Albert H. Kauffman) lists probable sources and legal bases of challenges to the new Texas code. "Texas Public Schools Charter Provisions in the New Education Code" describes specific provisions related to the establishment and operation of new charter schools. "Some Thoughts on the Legislature's Attempts To Improve Public Schools in Texas" (Albert Cortez) criticizes the "reforms" of the new Texas education code because they were formulated without input from key stakeholders and will do little to improve the education of the state's most disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations--minority-group, limited-English-proficient, and low-income students. Other articles not related to this issue's theme include "Issues in Accountability Testing of LEP Students: Reflections on the Policy Making Process" (Adela Solis); "How Federal Policy Impacts My Classroom" (Lucy Windham) expressing thoughts on bilingual-education policy; "IMPACT: A Model for Schools To Promote Parent Advocates for Children and Changes" (Ninta Adame-Reyna); "Teachers and Parents Surf the Internet: Finding Boards and Catching 'La Onda'" (Mikki Symonds); "We Need the Federal Government in Education" (Michael Casserly); "Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program Brings Together Tutors, Parents and Teachers" (Linda Cantu); and "IDRA Creates Manual for Title VII Proposal Development" (Abelardo Villarreal). Contains suggested readings on equity in school funding. (SV)