The desegregation decision by a local school system sometimes is perceived as the result of pressure, and at other times as unrelated to overt pressure for desegregation. Contrary to both of these views, this exploratory study suggests that a positive desegregation decision may stem from the personal values of school board members. These values may change under the impact of dissent over desegregation. Such change, however, seems to be relatively unaffected by political factors and often appears as the result of an individual identity conflict and a "secular conversion." Models of change as the result of forced compliance, political accommodation, and secular conversion are examined, and several significant elements of secular conversion tentatively are identified. This study focuses on seven board members during desegregation decisions in three California school districts. Six board members, two in each district, were selected for the study; they changed from a public position opposing desegregation to one of support; all voted for the desegregation plan. One eventually proved unavailable for the study, while two other board members from these districts were added, one who never changed in opposition to desegregation and one who never changed in support for desegregation. (Author/JM)