Perceptions of the political behavior of superintendents in New Mexico vary widely throughout the state. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information from superintendents, school board chairmen, and state legislators concerning the frequency, extent, and kinds of political activity in which superintendents were involved. Four kinds of activity were assessed: involvement in issue definition and proposal formulation, the mobilization of support for or opposition to policy proposals, attempts to influence policy as an individual rather than as a member of an association, and activity affecting specific fiscal issues. Superintendents were classified on a continuum from highly active to relatively inactive. The degree to which a superintendent was active was taken to reflect the superintendent's own beliefs concerning appropriate levels of political activity as well as those of his community and school board. Superintendents at both ends of the continuum saw themselves as less active than they were perceived to be by either legislators or board chairmen. The training and experience levels of superintendents appeared to affect the extent of their activity. Those closer to the state capitol proved more active than those located farther away, perhaps reflecting greater community support for political activity. Five pages of references are appended. (PGD)