A comprehensive picture of existing services to families under stress can be useful for immediate and long-range planning. In order to determine the range of services to families under stress, including those identified as involved in child abuse and neglect, the Council for Child Protection and Family Support, Missoula, Montana, surveyed, through…

This paper describes a survey-based needs assessment method for school districts using multiple constituency groups. The constituency groups included are: the general public, community leaders, parents, students, graduates, and professional educators. The method requires polling the groups using telephone surveys, mailed surveys, or group…

In 1981, a study was conducted at Kirkwood Community College (KCC) to assess community attitudes towards delivery systems and programs, such as community education centers and course offerings via telephone and television. A telephone survey was conducted of 500 residents in non-metropolitan areas of the college's service district requesting…

A telephone survey was conducted by Diablo Valley College (DVC) in 1979 to determine the characteristics of community residents and their opinions concerning DVC's programs and services. In addition to demographic data (i.e., length of residence in Central Contra Costa County, age, size of household, head of household's employment and marital…

One way that a school system can systematically assess its needs and assure that plans for improvement reflect the participation of all concerned groups is through use of the School Community Climate Survey (SCCS). The SCCS is a process for gathering information on people's attitudes, analyzing these attitudes in terms of perceived needs,…

A study conducted in Illinois determined how or if decision-makers actually used the results of a community problems needs assessment survey ("Illinois: Today and Tomorrow") of 15,000 persons in the state. Data for the use study were collected from sixty in-depth personal interviews with randomly selected cooperative extension advisors…

Currently, Michigan's Schoolcraft College (SC) offers classes on weekends but no formal program that allows students to complete a degree on weekends. To determine the community's general interest and need for a Weekend College Program and for expanded services in general, SC conducted a survey of 399 residents of the college's service district,…

This book guides library administrators through stages of long-range needs assessment, particularly taking what they know about their user community, library services, performance standards, and anticipated resources, and using that knowledge to determine space and building needs. Tips, explanations, and hands-on planning tools come through…

In 1983, a study was conducted by Dawson Community College (DCC) to gather information for program development at off-campus sites in Sidney and Baker, Montana, and to evaluate the services provided by the main campus to the communities in the Dawson area. The study, conducted in all three geographic areas, involved surveys of: (1) high school…

In winter 1982, a study was conducted to determine whether support for and knowledge of Brookdale Community College (BCC) were affected by demographic indicators such as age, sex, ethnicity, income, and residence. Surveys mailed to 195,000 addresses in Monmouth County asked respondents about their knowledge and use of various college services and…

In November 1988, a study was conducted to identify factors contributing to the quality of life of retired persons in southeast Kansas. A random sample of 366 Labette County residents over 59 years of age was surveyed by mail regarding their social life, housing, income, health, and the social and economic environment in Kansas. Study findings,…

During the spring 1981 semester, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) conducted a survey of high school students and influential members of the community to obtain assessments of the need for various academic programs at QVCC. Questionnaires were distributed to nine high schools, where juniors and seniors were asked to indicate their possible…

In Saginaw, comprehensive needs assessments are conducted every three or four years for planning purposes. Conducted during March and April of the 1984-85 school year, this study produced two basically different kinds of information: (1) Priority Need Index (PNI) data which indicate the key functions (or goals) people perceive should be addressed;…

A survey of marketing and market research activities in large, urban, two- and four-year colleges was conducted to identify the nature of marketing problems faced by institutions; current and preferred emphasis placed on market research activities; modes of assessing the needs of target groups and developing appropriate programs; the location of…

This study explores a design for a curriculum model for improving the preparation of teachers for rural schools. It was based on surveys and interviews conducted to assess needs, characteristics, and attitudes of rural communities. The functions and responsibilities of the college administrator were also examined with particular emphasis on the…