This book surveys major trends in the politics of education over the last 25 years. Chapters synthesize political and policy developments at local, national, and state levels in the United States, as well as in the international arena. The chapters examine the emerging micropolitics of education and policy-analysis, cultural, and feminist studies. The foreword is by Paul E. Peterson and the introduction by Jay D. Scribner and Donald H. Layton. Chapters include: (1) "Values: The 'What?' of the Politics of Education" (Robert T. Stout, Marilyn Tallerico, and Kent Paredes Scribner); (2) "The Politics of Education: From Political Science to Interdisciplinary Inquiry" (Kenneth K. Wong); (3) "The Crucible of Democracy: The Local Arena" (Laurence Iannaccone and Frank W. Lutz); (4) "State Policymaking and School Reform: Influences and Influentials" (Tim L. Mazzoni); (5) "Politics of Education at the Federal Level" (Gerald E. Sroufe); (6) "The International Arena: The Global Village" (Frances C. Fowler); (7) "Policy Analysis and the Study of the Politics of Education" (James G. Cibulka); (8) "Rational Choice Theory and the Politics of Education: Promise and Limitations" (William Lowe Boyd, Robert L. Crowson, and Tyll van Geel); (9) "The Micropolitics of Education: Mapping the Multiple Dimensions of Power Relations in School Politics" (Betty Malen); (10) "Rethinking the Public and Private Spheres: Feminist and Cultural Studies Perspectives on the Politics of Education" (Catherine Marshall and Gary L. Anderson); (11) "Making the Politics of Education Even More Interesting" (Richard Townsend and Norman Robinson); and (12) "Educational Politics and Policy: And the Game Goes On" (Jay D. Scribner, Pedro Reyes, and Lance D. Fusarelli). Each chapter contains references. An index is included. (LMI)