Influences on the California Supreme Court's educational policy decisions were studied for the 26 California Supreme Court Justices who served during 1954-1982. It was found that the intensity of political party affiliation was significantly related to support for college students' and professors' claims of civil rights and liberties in non-unanimous education cases. The justices' voting behavior was not significantly affected by the election of a governor of a political party other than that of the preceding governor. Attitudes and voting behavior of the justices heavily depended on the justice's political party, the appointing governor's political party, and the governor's religion. A justice's religion was, by itself, not sufficient to significantly affect voting behavior, nor were age at appointment, or number of years on the court. A court's propensity to support the education agency in educational decisions was not affected by the party affiliation of the court majority. The Supreme Court during 1954-1970 and that during 1970-1982 did not differ significantly in its propensity to vote on state constitutional grounds. It is concluded that the California high court, supported by the attitudes and values of the justices, engages in social change and reform. (SW)