Local districts can assess public opinion concerning the schools by adapting the questions asked and the data analysis methods used in national Gallup polls for use in local surveys. A comparison of national poll results with results of polls in four Arizona cities illustrates the value of this concept. (PGD)

Discussion of five issues selected from National Association of Secondary School Principals' national study of middle level education and principalship. (DCS)

A survey of 200 teachers on merit pay revealed that 57 percent did not favor merit pay. Examination of the responses shows that those with less than a masters degree were against merit pay two to one. (MD)

Describes a participatory management project that focused on distribution of management behaviors and facilitated a continual renewal process. Includes illustrations and tables. (MD)

Outlines findings on decision making from a recent survey of high school principals and middle management executives. Provides five recommendations for improving administrative skills. (MD)

Reports results of a survey of high school principals' attitudes toward school improvement recommendations. (MD)

Outlines the results of a national survey of employers on the quality of secondary education. Findings show the majority of employers surveyed did not feel the schools need improvement to fulfill their hiring needs. (MD)

A study that evaluated the effectiveness of formal and informal needs assessment procedures found them equally valid in ascertaining information for planning staff development programs. (MD)

Presents results of a New Mexico school survey that found the quality of education improved in schools as enrollment declined. (MD)

Current scientific and technologiical issues should be incorporated into more active classroom, laboratory, and extracurricular learning so that students can perceive the future as personally relevant. (MJL)

Reports the results of a survey of teachers in the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools regarding their preferences for staff development and draws implications for other schools. (Author/JM)

Everyone has different expectations of the principal, but there are successful techniques for principals to identify, clarify, and cope with them. (JM)

Effective principals agree on what should be occurring in the classrooms in their schools, according to investigators who queried principals in 202 schools identified as "effective." The most important characteristic of teachers, they responded, is to be task-oriented. (CJH)

Presents the results of a national survey conducted in 1983 that investigated teachers', administrators', and parents' preferred strategies for educating gifted secondary school students; reviews related program evaluation data, particularly as regards accelerated courses and independent study programs. (MCG)

Presents findings from a national survey measuring the public's response to academic reform in secondary schools. Results show the public supports improvement of academic standards but also wants the existing structure and organization of schools to be maintained. Includes four tables. (MD)