This newsletter includes five articles about educational and school policies, primarily related to equality of educational opportunity. "Texas Legislature Considers Much for Education, Accomplishes Little" (Albert Cortez, Anna Alicia Romero) summarizes educational legislation considered by the Texas legislature in the session ending in June 1997. Issues included increases in state education spending negated by cutbacks in local revenues; modest increases in minimum teacher salaries; continued underfunding of education for low-income, limited-English-proficient, gifted and talented, and special education students; continued funding inequality between school districts; and two bills that would increase the chances of minorities being admitted to institutions of higher education without including race as a factor. "Sexual Harassment Policies and Schools" (Maria Aurora Yanez-Perez) points out that the Civil Rights Act applies to education and schools, and discusses definitions of sexual harassment, written policies, staff and student training, and grievance procedures. "Hispanic Dropouts: Addressing the Leak in the Pipeline to Higher Education" (Maria Robledo Montecel) states that rising Hispanic dropout rates are linked to inadequacies throughout the educational system, points out past pitfalls to be avoided, and identifies strategies for reversing the trend. "Equal Access: Mask of Discrimination" (Oscar M. Cardenas) addresses the myth that equal opportunity can be achieved by treating each child alike. "Policies Affecting Bilingual Education and ESL Programs" (Elisa de Leon Gutierrez) discusses proposed new standards for Spanish language arts and English as a second language in Texas schools, testing of limited-English-proficient students, and the importance of language skills to Texas' success in the global economy. (TD)