ABSTRACT
Since the 1970s state legislators have played a significant role in defining educational policy. As the call for school reform continues, state legislators will shape the administration of public schools. Policy initiatives will determine interventions that will regulate educational quality. Despite the tradition of local autonomy for schools, state governments are increasingly gaining in status as the leaders in school improvement. Fuhrman, Huddle and Armstrong (1986) believe that if policy initiatives are to improve schools, then leaders at all levels of the educational system must be involved in cooperative ventures. State legislators and personnel from the state department of education must collaborate with administrators to provide leadership to schools.
