The focus of this dissertation was to investigate the relationship between the increase of black political power and the involvement of the federal government to the increase of black educational leadership in the areas of school board members, superintendents, central office administrators, and building level administrators in a kindergarten-12 school system in three selected counties in Central Alabama between 1960-1974. The study was descriptive in nature. It dealt with the changes in educational leadership resulting from the growth of political participation by blacks and the involvement of the federal government in the three selected counties. The sample population involved consisted of black educational leaders, leaders of black civil rights organizations, and political group organizations. Data were obtained through personal interviews and from government documents. Based upon the analysis of the data, it was found that prior to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, black political participation in voter registration in the three counties had remained relatively low. Since the passage of the Act, the increase in black voter registration and political activity has been significant. The increase in black educational leadership was attributed to passage of the Act, the involvement of the federal government in the form of examiners, and the arduous efforts of black organization leaders in each of the counties. It was concluded that the growth of political participation by blacks and the involvement of the federal government were significantly related to the increase of black educational leadership. (Author/AM)