Discussion of how three major trends in American education today -- growing politicization; increasing erosion of lay control in local school districts, and the growing lieklihood of more centralized systems of school finance -- are combining to escalate States' involvement in educational policy decisions. (Author)

Describes the range of reforms that might result from the equal protection suits and assesses their educational consequences, good and bad, as well as assessing equal protection remedies in terms of their potential for education reform. (Author/JM)

In light of the passage of Proposition 13 in California, which requires rethinking of the state's school financing structure, the author assesses the advantages and disadvantages of complete state financing v retaining some proportion of the revenue function at the local level. (Author/SJL)

Recommends the implementation of school-based management systems as one way to meet government demands for educational reform. Describes the functions of principals, school advisory councils, school-site budgeting and accounting, and annual planning and performance reports in successful school-based management systems. Presents examples of…