Study Sponsorship and Overall Study Design / Luvern L. Cunningham.

As illustrated by survey studies of four large school systems, studies of school systems may be sponsored (1) by outside groups interested in the schools, (2) by boards of education, or (3) jointly by agencies both within and outside the school system. A study of the Cincinnati school system was sponsored by a citizens' group. Studies in Columbus, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., were sponsored by their boards of education. Three of the studies--Cincinnati, Columbus, and Washington--were conducted by university based agencies. The Detroit study was conducted by a citizens' commission working with university staff assistance. School system attitudes toward study processes, teams, and outcomes appear to differ directly with the nature of study sponsorship and financing. Recommendations that issue from district financed inquiry and have the support of school officials are more generally accepted than recommendations produced by a study with external sponsorship. Field study particulars include (1) viewing the sponsoring organization as a client that influences the direction of the study, and (2) recognizing the need for detailed implementation strategies. (JK)

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