The Gallup : Phi Delta Kappa Polls of Attitudes toward the Public Schools, 1969-88. A 20-Year Compilation and Educational History / Stanley Elam, Ed.

This volume reports the major findings and tabulated statistics of the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Polls of the Public's Attitudes toward the Public Schools for a 20-year period, beginning with the first poll in 1969 and ending with the 1988 poll. Each of the Gallup Organization's 20 annual reports is the basis of a chapter in the book, and each chapter contains some of the questions and responses of the respective year's polls. As a result of this organization, the book also serves as a history of education in the period. Each chapter is preceded by an essay based on feature articles entitled "The Year's Ten Most Important Education Events," produced each year by Ben Brodinsky for the Educational Press Association of America. Certain questions were asked repeatedly in the 20-year period, providing a database of information. Each year a sample of between 1,505 and 2,118 adults in the United States of voting age, in all parts of the country and all types of neighborhoods, has been polled. In 1970, 1971, and 1974, between 250 and 299 high school juniors and seniors were also interviewed. In 1972 and 1973, 270 educators and 306 educators, respectively, were interviewed. Starting from a high of 44% in 1969, the percentage of respondents with children in public school dwindled gradually until reaching an average of about 28% for the past 11 years; however, it went up to 31% in 1987. The percentage of respondents with children in non-public schools has been fairly constant, generally 5% to 8%. Together, the polls show that increased public familiarity with the schools results in increased public respect. Educators must make sure that the public understands what the schools can do best with the resources that are available to them. Appendix 1 explains the sampling and research procedures of the polls. Appendix 2 describes the Polling Attitudes of the Community on Education (PACE) program, which assists communities in conducting local polls. Appendix 3 describes differences between educators and the public on questions of educational policy. (SLD)

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