New developments on the technical aspects of cable television, coupled with the proposed Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations governing the medium and the possibility of Congressional action in the field have set the stage for 1971 to become a pivotal year for cable television in education. The number of channels that can be built into a cable system is going up; the cost of added channels or such features as two-way communications runs in nothing like a straight-line equation; the prospects of profitable cable operations are high. At the national level, the Joint Council on Educational Telecommunications and PubliCable are among the educational agencies attempting to influence the FCC and Congress to set basic requirements for educational channels for every cable system in the country. On the local scene, many communities are framing the basic ordinances which will govern cable television in their jurisdiction. Educators must be prepared to work with both the city fathers and the cable franchise holders in establishing a place for education in the cable television policy of the area. In areas where a franchise has already been granted there still exists the possibility for educators to obtain use of "non-standard" channels or to secure a review and revision of a franchise. (JY)