This paper recommends that institutions of higher education (IHE) departments of educational administration collaborate with state education agencies (SEA) to plan educational reform. The states' increasing investment in public education merits IHE participation in the statewide educational planning process. Specifically, the paper suggests SEA's strengthen administrator and teacher certification standards; provide IHE departments of educational administration logistical and financial support for field and internship experiences; include IHE staff and students in SEA funded leadership training; and encourage IHE's to do state policy and evaluation studies. The IHE departments of educational administration should co-opt improved assessment procedures as an aid to recruitment/selection and program planning; develop the flexibility to incorporate state-supported leadership training as credit-gaining activities; form faculty teams jointly with SEA staff to provide planned leadership academy programs; establish employment guarantees with departmental recommendations for students completing a planned program; and seek opportunities to cooperate with SEA persons and projects. (JAM)