One of the major deficiencies of the recent educational reports calling for educational reform is the failure to suggest ways of using the federal role to meet the national interest. Seven dimensions of national social, economic, and political commitment that are linked to education are: (1) expansion of equality of opportunities for the disadvantaged, handicapped, and minorities; (2) promotion of economic growth and full employment; (3) minimization of spillover costs among states and regions; (4) maintaining cultural and scientific progress; (5) ensuring an effectively functioning democracy; (6) defense of the nation; and (7) educational research and development. Under federalism the responsibilities of government are divided and the federal government can only influence educational policy indirectly. However, there are four policy levers that the federal government can use to meet national educational concerns: leadership, educational services, grants-in-aid, and litigation. (MLF)