A study of the political relationships between elementary-secondary and higher education in 12 large States reveals that while at present there is little conflict between the two levels, there is also little cooperation. Several social forces are causing increasing attention to be focused on the division between the two levels. Factors lying behind the growing conflict between the two levels include (1) a breakdown of the traditional forces of educational politics at the elementary-secondary level caused by disunity of teachers and administrators, and (2) the increasing cohesion and political power of higher education. Differing kinds of educational structures in the States are closely related to the operation of political forces between the levels. Financing education, especially the competition for State funds, is the most critical problem that will affect interlevel relations of the future. Another potential problem area is the control and orientation of education in the 13th and 14th grades along with control over vocational-technical education. In conclusion, the relationship between elementary-secondary and higher education verges on open conflict while policy makers seldom recognize the relationship as one worthy of attention. (HW)