Author comments about the Gallup survey findings on the nation's public schools and their implications for school public relations and principals. (GB)

The introduction to a series of articles in this issue on school public relations discusses the importance that personal experience plays in public attitudes toward schools (MLF)

A survey is an effective way to measure citizen attitudes. Basic steps to follow in sampling public opinion are offered. (Author/MLF)

Community censorship of school instructional materials can be successfully combatted with a firm policy that delineates guidelines for both school and community action. These writers tell how they won a censorship battle. (Editor)

Few instruments exist for measuring community perceptions of local schools. The Social Style Profile Model, originally developed to describe individual behavior, adapts very well to organizations. Knowing a school's perceived social behavior style and its level of versatile behavior makes for improved school management and school-community…

Highlights what the literature says about conflict and its resolution. (IRT)

Schools adopt year-round plans for a host of reasons, writes this author, who feels that today's fuel shortages and other conservation concerns further justify schools operating 12 months of the year. (Editor)

The Measure of Attitudes Toward Education is described in this article. This instrument, which can be used by both educational practitioners and researchers, taps public opinion in three areas: teacher-related issues, organizational efficiency, and administrative effectiveness. (DS)

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)

A fundamental aid in maintaining equilibrium is establishing a policy of providing the opportunity for the study of controversial issues, rather than teaching the issues per se. Other tips for managing controversy include anticipating controversy and criticism and establishing procedures for processing issues. (MJL)

By using the deductive or the inductive approach to needs assessment, or a combination of both approaches, school administrators can allocate physical or human resources in accordance with community priorities. (DCS)

An ambitious school and community drug education program won community support after the appearance of a controversial school newspaper article featuring an anonymous interview with a drug pusher drew national attention to the problem of drug abuse in the community and schools. (DCS)

By focusing on the entire community as stakeholders in the public schools, the school board, the superintendent, and principals are forced to identify and cultivate the diverse groups in the community. Eight essential steps to developing an effective stakeholder management strategy are listed. (Author/DCS)

Explains how a survey of staff, students, parents, and community members was used to develop an equitable and effective high school dress and behavior code. Describes the sanctions established for violations and a mandatory after-school instructional program for students suspended from regular classes. (Author/PGD)