The purpose of this study was to determine how well today's students are being trained to deal with the persuasive messages which they receive through the mass media. The study involved two questionnaire surveys: the first a survey of 235 chairpersons of departments of speech and English in institutions of higher education in the state of Illinois--132 responded--and the second a survey of 315 teachers of persuasion in departments of speech and English in Illinois institutions of higher education--102 responded. Although 83 percent of the responding teachers said they attempt to prepare students as both senders and receivers of persuasion, 43 percent of these emphasize the role of sender and only 15 percent emphasize the role of receiver. Teachers mentioned using 68 different texts in their teaching of persuasion, but only one of these was used by as many as 10 respondents. Supplementary materials from the mass media were used frequently by only 25 percent of the English teachers and 33 percent of the speech teachers responding. Conclusions and recommendations for improving the training of students at all educational levels in the reception of public persuasion are provided, as are suggestions regarding the training of teachers of persuasion. (Author/RB)