THIS ADDRESS STRESSES THE URGENCY OF INVOLVING PARENTS, COMMUNITIES, TEACHERS, AND STUDENTS IN THE POWER STRUCTURE OF THE SCHOOLS. THESE GROUPS MUST NOW BE ACTIVELY INCLUDED IN DECISION MAKING AND IN THE CONTROL OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. AMONG THE ISSUES DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE POWER STRUGGLE ARE THE COMPATABILITY OF THE GOALS OF RACIAL INTEGRATION VS. COMPENSATORY EDUCATION, NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS VS. EDUCATIONAL PARKS, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS VS. LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICT DECENTRALIZATION, AND ADMINISTRATORS AND BOARDS OF EDUCATION VS. PARENT AND OTHER GROUPS INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING. TWO GENERALIZATIONS ARE MADE ABOUT THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION--(1) THE STATES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORTING LARGE URBAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS, AND (2) THERE IS TOO GREAT A TENDENCY FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ABROGATE THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITIES TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS BY RELYING ON FEDERAL MONIES AND PROGRAMS. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (STATLER-HILTON HOTEL, WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 19, 1968). (NH)