A study investigated the nature of the conflict between the school administration and teacher organizations over policy formulation and decision making in six New Mexico school districts having both National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) affiliates. The study sought to determine whether there are differences between the school administration and teachers concerning (1) areas of importance in policy formulation and decision making, (2) the areas in which teachers should be involved in policy formulation and decision making, and (3) the methods teachers should employ to obtain their goals. A three-part questionnaire composed of Likert-type scales was administered to local NEA and AFT affiliate officers and ex-officers and to the upper echelon of the local school administration and members of the local board of education. Conclusions show (1) no significant differences among the administration, NEA affiliate officers, and AFT affiliate officers, regarding areas of importance, (2) significant differences regarding the areas in which teachers should be involved, and (3) a mixed reaction regarding the methods teachers should employ to obtain their goals. Implications of the findings are discussed, with an observation that they are mainly applicable to areas of the United States which are not heavily industrialized and not proximate to strongly unionized organizations. (TT)