This monograph and its companion volume, "Shaping Education Policy in the States," portray the contemporary role of state legislators and map the structure of educational leadership in terms of both the characteristics of influential legislators and staff and the nature of influence structures in state legislatures. An outgrowth of the "State Legislative Education Leadership Study," this volume reports the results from surveys of legislators and staff members in all 50 states. Background information is provided in the form of an overview of the study and of the role legislatures play in education. How legislatures are organized and what kinds of people achieve positions of legislative authority and reponsibility are major focal points. Additional discussion centers on where and how legislators choose to spend time and effort and the relationships among legislators and various groups such as staff, teachers, and state departments. The major functions of legislative education leadership discussed include (1) developing and processing legislation; (2) reviewing the executive budget; (3) overseeing ongoing state programs; and (4) providing services for constituents. The study also touches on conflicts and disputes faced by legislators. Finally, possible trends for the future are offered along with views of what the new generations of legislators might be like. (MMJ)