High School Profile Impact Study / Susanna Lee and Elizabeth A. McGrath.

In 1988, the Delaware State legislature provided for the development of profile reports (PRs) on all full-time public high schools in the state. To determine the impact of the high school PRs, this study addressed the following: (1) public awareness of the PR program; (2) the percentage of the public that received a high school profile; (3) public impressions of the profile; and (4) additional data that should have been included in the PRs but was not. Five schools were selected; 400 building administrators, district school board members, parent organization officers, and school advisory committee members from each school received a 12-item survey developed for the study. Half of the professional staff and about 300 parents from each school were represented. Interviews were also held with a parent/community group from each school. Responses were received from 452 (22.6%) of those surveyed; about 73% of the respondents were parents. Twenty-seven percent of all respondents were aware of the PR program, and 15% acknowledged receiving a report, with 42% of all school staff receiving a PR. Respondents generally found the PR data easy to understand and helpful. Many would have liked data regarding comparisons with other schools to have been included in the PRs. Although they apparently were not widely read, the PRs generally were considered to provide important data. Four tables provide study data. The survey instrument is included. (SLD)

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