Recent changes in and issues related to political authority and educational policy, specifically, decentralization and school responsibility, are examined in this paper. The following concerns are discussed: new administrative structures for states and municipalities; allocation of block grants; political and professional control of goals, curriculum, and evaluation; and rules for local school organization, teacher employment, and national teacher education. Analysis of recent developments demonstrate the political system's attempt to increase control over teachers, which, combined with decentralization, has created new patterns of control. Arguments are made for increased teacher empowerment and school autonomy. A conclusion is that, although the national political system will eventually affect local political climates, inherent forces within the schools will operate for a long time despite national policy changes. As the political education system becomes more deconcentrated, control of teachers by local politicians will increase. (20 references) (LMI)