The 30th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools |
CLOSING COMMENTS
This report is an attempt to provide a factual accounting of the findings contained in the 30th Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll. However, what has been reported is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the data that are available. The complete tabulations break the data down into 12 major population groups and 50 subgroups. It is possible to compare, for example, the responses given by those living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Comparisons can be made of the responses provided by men and women or by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
There is not space in this report to go extensively into comparisons among groups. However, our examination suggests that nonwhites tend to provide responses that reflect greater variability and greater intensity of feeling than other groups. It is also apparent that the responses of college graduates tend to differ from those of high school graduates, those in the 18- to 29-year-old age group differ from those age 65 and older, and clerical/sales and manual workers tend to provide responses different from those of professionals and businesspeople. These kinds of comparisons add meaning to the poll results; however, they can be made only by those who have obtained the complete tabulations.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that the original reason for initiating the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup polls was to provide those making decisions about the schools with data to be used as input in those decisions. This is not to say that educational decisions should be based on public opinion. However, in a democratic society the public schools are dependent on an informed and supportive public. If support for a worthwhile idea is not present, it becomes the responsibility of educational leaders to build the necessary support to move the public schools in the direction they need to go.
The original purpose of the poll remains as valid today as it was 30 years ago. The data contained in this report would suggest the following kinds of conclusions: public schools benefit when a large number of people have close contact with them; a significant part of the public remains to be persuaded that children today receive a better education than in the past; people tend to prefer smaller schools at a time when the trend is toward larger schools; and public school parents want more say in decisions related to the public schools. Such data-based conclusions should be useful to those who have the decision-making responsibility for the public schools.
TOPICS:
Introduction to the Poll
Public Versus Nonpublic Schools
Grading the Schools
Effectiveness of Public Schools
Improving the Nation's Inner-City Schools
Politics and the Public Schools
Problems Facing the Public Schools
School Operation/Curriculum
Impact of Unions
The Public's Knowledge of Local Schools
Confidence in Institutions
Closing Comments
How to Order the Poll
Research Procedure
Sampling Tolerances
Design and Composition of the Sample
Conducting Your Own Poll
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