70 1 4 ,9 9 8 - BOOZER, Raymond L . , 1 9 2 7 A STUDY OF THE VOTING PUBLICS IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, TO PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR PLANNING AND CONDUCTING FUTURE PUBLIC SCHOOL OPERATING MILLAGE ELECTIONS IN THAT DISTRICT. M ic h ig a n S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y , P h . D . , 1969 E d u c a t io n , a d m i n i s t r a t i o n U niversity Microfilms, Inc., A nn A rbor, M ichigan A STU D Y O F THE VOTING P U B L IC S IN GRAND R A P ID S , M ICHIGAN, TO PR O V ID E THE BASIS FO R P L A N N IN G AND C O N DUCTING F U T U R E P U B L IC SCHOOL O P E R A T IN G M ILLA G E E L E C T IO N S IN TH AT D IST R IC T By R aym on d L . B o o z e r A TH ESIS S u b m itted to M ic h ig a n S tate U n iv e r s it y in p a r tia l f u lf illm e n t o f the r e q u ir e m e n ts fo r the d e g r e e of D O C TO R OF PH ILO SO PH Y D e p a r tm e n t o f A d m in is tr a tio n and H ig h e r E d u ca tio n 1969 A B ST R A C T A STUDY OF THE VOTING PU B L IC S IN GRAND R A PID S, MICHIGAN, TO PR O V ID E THE BASIS FOR PLANNING A N D CONDUCTING F U T U R E PU BLIC SCHOOL O PER A TIN G M ILLA G E E L E C T IO N S IN TH AT D ISTR IC T By R aym ond L. B o o z e r O v e r v ie w T he g e n e r a l p u r p o se o f the stu d y w a s to p r o v id e the G rand R ap id s B oard o f E d u ca tio n w ith a w o rk a b le p lan w h ich m a y be u s e d by th em in co n d u ctin g fu tu re m illa g e e le c t io n c a m p a ig n s . The plan w a s to in c lu d e the r e c o m m e n d a tio n of p r o c e d u r e s , te c h n iq u e s, and s t r a t e g ie s w h ich w ould e n c o u r a g e a fa v o r a b le m illa g e v o te in su c h e le c t io n s . T he stud y w a s a d e s c r ip t iv e s u r v e y . It p ro v id ed in f o r m a ­ tion, f a c t s , and o p in io n s ab ou t th e fiv e m a jo r v o tin g p u b lic s in Grand R a p id s r e la te d to s c h o o l o p e r a tin g m illa g e e le c t io n s . fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s w e r e th e fo llo w in g : T he p u b lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , R aym ond L. B o o zer p r e - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s , and n o n - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s . A r e p r e s e n t a t iv e sa m p lin g o f the c ity r e s id e n c e s w a s tak en . T h e s a m p le to ta le d a p p r o x im a te ly 1, 8 5 0 (5%) o f the c it y r e s id e n c e s . A m a ile d q u e s tio n n a ir e so u g h t r e s p o n s e s to s ix r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s , th e a n s w e r s to w h ich p r o v id e d th e data fr o m w h ic h c o n c lu s io n s w e r e r e a c h e d and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s w e r e m a d e . T he r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s w e r e a s fo llo w s : 1. W hat a r e the f e e lin g s o f e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to w a rd the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 2. How m u ch d o e s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic p a r tic ip a te in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? 3. W hat m e th o d s a r e u se d b y e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to c o m ­ m u n ic a te w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 4. W hat d e g r e e of fin a n c ia l s u p p o r t ca n b e a n tic ip a te d fr o m e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? 5. W ithin e a c h v o tin g p u b lic w h ich p e o p le ten d to be m o s t su p p o r tiv e o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 6. How k n o w le d g e a b le ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls i s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? R aym ond L . B oozer C o n c lu s io n s T he fo llo w in g c o n c lu s io n s w e r e r e a c h e d a f t e r a n a ly z in g the fin d in g s of th e stu d y . 1. M o st o f the c it iz e n s o f th e co m m u n ity f e e l that th e p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e d o in g a s a t is f a c t o r y jo b of e d u c a tin g the you n g p e o p le o f th e c o m m u n ity . 2. N e ith e r the v o tin g p u b lic o f the c it iz e n n o r the l e v e l of s c h o o lin g th a t h e h a s c o m p le te d a f f e c t s h ow h e p e r ­ c e iv e s the q u a lity o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls . 3. M o re C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts f e e l th a t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e l e s s th an ad eq u a te by c o m p a r is o n w ith o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s than do the c it iz e n s in the o th e r fo u r p u b lic s . 4. M o re p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts r a te th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o l fa v o r a b ly w h en c o m p a red to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s than do the c it iz e n s in the o th e r four p u b lic s. 5. M any c i t iz e n s , alth ou gh th e y e x p r e s s an in t e r e s t in the p u b lic s c h o o ls , and th ey d is c u s s th e s e s c h o o ls a g r e a t d e a l w ith o t h e r s , do not v i s i t the s c h o o ls ; n or d o th ey b e c o m e a c t iv e ly in v o lv e d in s c h o o l fu n c tio n s. R aym ond L. B o o zer 6. F o r m o s t c i t iz e n s The G rand R a p id s P r e s s i s th e m o s t im p o r ta n t m e a n s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n th rou gh w h ich th ey le a r n ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls . 7. T h e h ig h e r the l e v e l of s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d by the c it iz e n , th e g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th a t h e f e e l s h is s c h o o l t a x e s a r e to o lo w , the g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d th a t h e v o te d fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e l e c t io n s , the g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d th a t he w ou ld v o te fa v o r a b ly to c o n tin u e th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e , and th e g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d th a t he w i l l v o te fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s . 8. T he m o r e th a t th e c itiz e n h a s p a r tic ip a te d in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s , th e g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d th a t h e v oted fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s , th e g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d that he w ill v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a co n tin u a tio n o f th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e , and the g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th a t h e w ill v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s . 9. C itiz e n s a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly in fu tu r e m illa g e e le c t io n s if the m o n e y a p p r o p r ia te d i s u s e d fo r s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n p r o g r a m s , a d u lt r e m e d ia l and tra d e p r o g r a m s , m o r e in d iv id u a liz e d in s t r u c t io n , s m a lle r R aym on d L. B o o z e r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n , an ex ten d ed u s e o f s c h o o l f a c ili t i e s fo r a ll c it iz e n s , and fo r th e c o n str u c tio n of new b u ild in g f a c ili t i e s . C itiz e n s in the w ork c l a s s if ic a t io n s o f p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, and s a l e s , a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fo r a co n tin u a tio n o f the p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e , and th e s e sa m e w ork c la s s if ic a t io n s w ith th e ad d ition o f h o u s e w iv e s a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c ifie d p u r p o s e s . The id e a l v o te r in t e r m s o f the lik e lih o o d o f h is s u p ­ p o rt in fu tu re s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s i s th e young p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n t w h o s e w ork c la s s if ic a t io n i s that of a p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , or h o u s e w ife , w ho h a s liv e d in the co m m u n ity fr o m 2 - 5 y e a r s , who lia s a tta in ed a c o lle g e e d u c a tio n , and w ho h a s p a r tic ip a te d in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s . A g e n e r a l s im ila r it y of k n o w led g e le v e l ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o l e x i s t s am ong the c it iz e n s . Of the i n f o r ­ m a tio n sou gh t, c it iz e n s a r e le a s t k n o w le d g e a b le ab out the p r e s e n t p o lic y o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m re g a rd in g the tr a n sp o r ta tio n of stu d e n ts. R aym on d L. B o o z e r R e c o m m e n d a tio n s T he m a jo r e m p h a s is o f tim e and m o n e y in p la n n in g fu tu r e m illa g e c a m p a ig n s sh o u ld b e sp e n t in id e n tify in g c it iz e n s o f G rand R a p id s w ho a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly in m illa g e e le c t io n s . The e m p h a s is in fu tu r e m illa g e c a m p a ig n s sh o u ld b e " p e o p le - c e n t e r e d , " I n fo r m a tio n a l m a t e r ia ls and n e w s r e l e a s e s a b o u t th e e le c t io n sh o u ld d e s c r ib e th e n eed and v a lu e o f s p e c if i c p r o g r a m s and th e b e n e f its of t h e s e p r o g r a m s to the c o m m u n ity a s w e ll a s to the p a r tic ip a n ts * T he B o a rd and s ta ff sh o u ld c o n s id e r th e d e v e lo p m e n t and e x t e n s io n o f the c o m m u n ity s c h o o l c o n c e p t w ith the g o a l th a t a ll p u b lic s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s sh o u ld be a v a ila b le to c it iz e n s fo r m o r e e x t e n s iv e e v e n in g and s u m m e r u s e . O pen lin e s of c o m m u n ic a tio n sh o u ld b e e s t a b lis h e d w ith The G rand R a p id s P r e s s . M o s t c it iz e n s u s e th e P r e s s a s a p r im a r y s o u r c e o f in fo r m a tio n to le a r n ab out th e p u b lic s c h o o ls ; t h e r e f o r e , an y p r o c e d u r e s w h ich a r e e s t a b lis h e d b e tw e e n the p u b lic s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l and the v a r io u s c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia sh o u ld e m p h a s iz e a p o s it iv e r e la t io n s h ip b e tw e e n the s c h o o ls and th e P r e s s . R aym ond L. B o o zer C r e a te n eig h b o r h o o d m illa g e c a m p a ig n h e a d q u a r te r s in s e le c t e d e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls . T h is sh o u ld b e d one by id e n tify in g th e a r e a s o f th e c ity in w h ich r e s id e n t s liv e w ho ten d to b e the m o s t s u p p o r tiv e in s c h o o l m illa g e e l e c t io n s . A c o n ta c t p r o g r a m w ith c it iz e n s new to the c ity o f G rand R a p id s sh o u ld be e s t a b lis h e d by s c h o o l p e r s o n ­ n e l. T h e r e sh ou ld b e e s t a b lis h e d a c o n tin u o u s p r o c e s s th ro u g h w h ich feed b a ck fr o m a r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s a m p le o f c it iz e n s ca n be c h a n n e le d to th e B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n and the c e n t r a l s ta ff. A r u m o r c o n tr o l c e n t e r sh o u ld b e e s t a b lis h e d and o p e r a te d by s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l w h o can e ith e r a n s w e r q u e s tio n s of a c o n c e r n e d c it iz e n o r r e f e r h im to the p r o p e r p e r s o n o r o f fic e w h e r e th e c it iz e n can r e c e iv e a c la r if ic a t io n o f h is c o n c e r n . ACKNOW LEDGM E NTS T h e c o m p le tio n of th is d is s e r t a t io n i s th e r e s u lt of the c o o p e r a tiv e e f f o r t s and e m p a th e tic u n d er sta n d in g of m a n y p e r s o n s . In clu d ed am o n g th e s e a r e m y c o lle a g u e s w ith the G rand R ap id s P u b lic S c h o o ls , w h o se a d v ic e and a s s i s t a n c e w a s both so u g h t and u se d ; and th e m a n y c it iz e n s o f G rand R a p id s w ho, by re sp o n d in g to the q u e s tio n n a ir e , p ro v id ed the d ata around w h ich the stu d y h a s b een co n d u cted . In a d d itio n , th e r e a r e a few s p e c ia l in d iv id u a ls to w hom I sh ou ld lik e to g iv e s p e c ia l r e c o g n itio n b e c a u s e o f t h e ir h avin g g iv e n f r e e ly of th e c o u n s e l and th e ir tim e to a s s i s t in the c o m p le tio n of th is p r o je c t. M y s in c e r e a p p r e c ia tio n i s ex ten d ed to the fo llo w in g : M r, J o se p h Van B lo o y s , a kind frien d and o u tsta n d in g m e m ­ b e r o f the G rand R ap id s B oard o f E d u ca tio n , w h o s e e f f o r t s and in t e r e s t m a d e p o s s ib le fo r m e a S a b b a tic a l L e a v e fro m the Grand R a p id s S c h o o l S y ste m to b eg in the d o c to r a l p r o g r a m . M r. B en ja m in J . B u ik em a , D r. J a y L. P y lm a n (d e c e a s e d ), and D r. N o rm a n W e in h e im e r , S u p erin ten d en ts o f the G rand R apids S ch o o l S y ste m , w h o s e in t e r e s t and e n c o u r a g e m e n t to m e during th is p e r io d o f stu d y h a v e b een a s ig n ific a n t m o tiv a tin g f o r c e . M r . C h a r le s S te w a r t M o tt o f F lin t and th e M ott F o u n d a tio n , fo r th e ir s p o n s o r s h ip o f the c o o p e r a tiv e F e llo w s h ip P r o g r a m b e tw e e n the F lin t C o m m u n ity S c h o o ls and M ic h ig a n S tate U n iv e r s it y , a p r o g r a m in w h ich I had th e p r iv ile g e o f p a r tic ip a tin g . D r . R ich a rd F e a t h e r s t o n e , C h a ir m a n , D r . C ly d e C a m p b e ll, D r . W illia m V . H ic k s , and D r . J a m e s M c K e e - - a n o u tsta n d in g d o c t o r a l c o m m itte e - -w h o se w illi n g n e s s to a d v is e and e n c o u r a g e m e n t to c o m p le te t h is ta sk I s h a ll r e m e m b e r w ith both fo n d n e s s and re sp e c t. And la s t ly , m y f a m ily - - M a r ia n n e , N a n c y , T o m , J a n e , and C a r o l- - w h o s e fa ith and lo v e fo r th e ir dad n e v e r f a lte r e d d u rin g the m a n y f a t h e r le s s f a m ily u n d e r ta k in g s w h ich o c c u r r e d d u rin g the w r itin g of th is d is s e r t a t io n . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ...................................................................... v ii LIST O F F I G U R E S ......................................................................................... x iv LIST O F T A B L E S C H A PTER I. II. III. IN T R O D U C T IO N ...................................................................... 1 In tro d u ctio n to the P r o b l e m ............................ . . S ta tem en t of the P r o b l e m ........................................ S ig n ific a n c e o f th e P r o b l e m ................................... P u r p o s e of the S t u d y .................................................. R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n s to B e S t u d i e d .................... L i m i t a t i o n s ...................................................................... ................................................................. A s s u m p tio n s D e fin itio n o f T e r m s .................................................. D e s ig n o f the S t u d y ....................................................... S u m m a ry and O v e r v i e w ............................................. 1 5 6 9 10 10 11 12 14 16 SE L E C T E D REVIEW O F L IT E R A T U R E . . . . 18 O v e r v i e w .......................................................................... S ch o o l F in a n c in g in M i c h i g a n .............................. Bond and M illa g e E l e c t i o n s ................................... S u m m a ry , 18 19 24 40 PLAN N ING AND CONDUCTING THE STU D Y . . . 42 T he S ettin g - -G rand R a p id s, M ich ig a n . . . T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S ch o o l S y ste m . . T he P o p u la tio n and S a m p le S e le c tio n . . . I n s tr u m e n ta tio n --D e v e lo p m e n t o f the Q u e s t i o n n a i r e ....................................................... M ethod o f R ep o rtin g and In te r p r e tin g the D ata ................................................................. S u m m a r y ........................................................................... 42 48 54 58 62 62 Page CH APTER IV . P R E S E N T A T IO N A N D A N A L Y SIS O F THE D A T A ........................................................................................64 PART I M eth od o f P r e s e n t a t io n and A n a ly s is o f th e D a t a ....................................................................... Q u e s tio n n a ir e R e s p o n s e .............................................. D e m o g r a p h ic C h a r a c t e r is t ic s of R e s p o n d e n t s .................................................... 67 64 65 P A R T II F in d in g s R e la te d to R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n s . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 1 ................................... 74 S u m m a r y o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 1 . . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 2 ................................... 88 S u m m a r y o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 2 . . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 3 .................................. 101 S u m m a ry o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 3 . . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 4 .................................. 110 S u m m a r y o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 4 . . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 5 .................................. 145 S u m m a ry o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 5 . . . . R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 6 .................................. 148 S u m m a r y o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 6 . . . . 74 87 99 109 138 148 158 P A R T III P r e s e n t a t io n o f O th e r F in d in g s - A n a ly s is o f O p en -E n d ed Q u e s t io n s . . . . S u m m a r y of S u b je c tiv e R e s p o n s e s .............. 177 V. SUM M ARY, CO NC LU SIO NS, AND R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S ..................................................179 S u m m a r y ......................................................................179 C o n c l u s i o n s .................................................................180 T he F e e lin g s o f C it iz e n s to w a rd th e S c h o o ls and th e ir I n t e r e s t in the S c h o o l s ........................................181 v 161 Page T h e P a r tic ip a tio n o f C it iz e n s in th e S c h o o l s ....................................................... 182 C o m m u n ic a tio n M ed ia U s e d by C it iz e n s w ith th e S c h o o l s ................................ 183 T he V o tin g H a b its o f C it iz e n s in S c h o o l M illa g e E l e c t i o n s ..............................184 O r g a n iz a tio n s S u p p o r tiv e o f the S c h o o l s ...................................................................... 188 T he K n o w led g e L e v e l o f C itiz e n s ab ou t th e S c h o o l s ..................................................188 R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s ................................................................. 189 B I B L I O G R A P H Y ......................................................................................................... 201 A P P E N D IX A. BO ARD O F E D U C A T IO N C EN SU S S H E E T ...........................204 B. N U M B E R S A N D P E R C E N T A G E S OF R E SID E N C E S BY VOTING P U B L IC AND C E N SU S T R A C T W ITHIN THE GRAND R A P ID S P U B L IC SCHOOL D I S T R I C T .................................. 205 C. SU R V EY Q U E S T I O N N A I R E .....................................................2 08 D. L E T T E R A C C O M PA N Y IN G Q U E S T IO N ­ NAIRE TO R E S P O N D E N T S ...................................................... 212 E. F O L L O W -U P L E T T E R TO R E S P O N D E N T S . . . . F. T A B L E S 4 - 1 8 THROUGH 4 - 2 6 .............................................. 214 G. E L E M E N T A R Y SCHOOL A T T E N D A N C E A R E A S , S E P T E M B E R 19 6 8 , AND C EN SU S T R A C T S 1 - 4 8 W ITHIN THE GRAND R A PID S P U B L IC SCHOOL D I S T R I C T ...............................................................................................223 H. M E D IA N F A M IL Y INCOM E A N D M EDIAN SCHOOL Y E A R C O M P L E T E D O F A D U L T S BY C E N SU S T R A C T -- 1960 U N IT E D ST A T E S C EN SU S R E P O R T ...........................................................................224 vi 213 L IST O F T A B L E S TABLE 4 -1 4 -2 4 -3 4 -4 4 -5 4 -6 4 -7 4 -8 4 -9 Page L en g th o f R e s id e n c y o f R e s p o n d e n ts in G rand R a p id s by V o tin g P u b l i c .............................................. 68 L e v e l o f S c h o o lin g C o m p le te d by R e s p o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b l i c ............................................................................ 69 T yp e o f W ork P e r fo r m e d by R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g ..P u b l i c ............................................................................ 71 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts W ho A r e P r o p e r ty O w n e r s in G rand R a p id s by V o tin g P u b l i c ........................................................................... 73 P e r c e p t io n s o f th e Q u a lity o f th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls by V o tin g P u b l i c ............................................ 75 T he E f f e c t o f E d u c a tio n on How C itiz e n s P e r c e i v e the Q u a lity o f th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l s ..................................................................................... 76 P e r c e p t io n s o f the Q u a lity of th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls C o m p a r e d to O th e r S c h o o l S y s te m s by V o tin g P u b l i c ........................................................... 78 I n t e r e s t o f R e s p o n d e n ts in the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls by V o tin g P u b l i c ............................................ 80 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e s p o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith the S ta tem en t: " P u b lic S c h o o l O f f ic ia ls D o n ’ t C a r e M uch W hat W e (C itiz e n s ) T h i n k " .................................................................................................... 82 v ii Page TABLE 4 -1 0 4 -1 1 4 -1 2 4 -1 3 4 -1 4 4 -1 5 4 -1 6 4 -1 7 4 -1 8 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e s ta te m e n t: "V otin g in M illa g e E le c t io n s o r fo r B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n M e m b e r s Is th e O nly W ay th a t W e H ave A n y th in g to S ay How the P u b lic S c h o o ls A r e R u n " .............................. 83 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e S ta tem en t: "Our P u b lic E d u c a tio n a l S y s te m I s T o o C o m p le x fo r M e to U n d e r ­ sta n d ..................................................................................................... 85 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e S ta tem en t: " C itiz e n s o f A ll A g e s A r e E n c o u r a g e d to U s e L o c a l P u b lic S c h o o ls" . . . 86 F r e q u e n c y th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic V is it e d P u b lic S c h o o ls o r A tten d ed P u b lic S c h o o l F u n c tio n s L a s t Y e a r ................................................... 90 F r e q u e n c y th a t R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic T a lk ed by P h o n e o r in P e r s o n w ith a T e a c h e r o r O th e r S c h o o l O f f ic ia l L a s t Y e a r .............................. 91 F r e q u e n c y th a t R e s p o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b lic D i s c u s s the L o c a l P u b lic S c h o o ls w ith O t h e r s ................................................................................................ 93 A c t iv it ie s in W h ich R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic W ould L ik e to P a r t ic ip a t e If T h ey W e r e O ffe r e d in th e P u b lic S c h o o ls ............................... 95 P u b lic S c h o o l P r o g r a m A c t iv it ie s that R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic D e s i r e M o r e I n f o r m a t i o n ...................................................................................... 97 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b o u t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls by T e l e v i s i o n ........................................................................................... 214 v iii Page E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b ou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls b y R a d io 215 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b o u t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls th ro u g h T h e G rand R a p id s P r e s s ............................... 216 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b o u t.th e P u b lic S c h o o ls th ro u g h W e e k ly N e w s p a p e r s ......................................... 217 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A bou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls th ro u g h S c h o o l B u l l e t i n s ................................................... 218 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b ou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls th ro u g h S p e e c h e s by S c h o o l O f f ic ia ls .................... 219 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b ou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls th ro u g h P r o g r a m s in S c h o o ls (In clu d in g P T A ) . , 220 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A bou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls fr o m C h i l d r e n ....................................................................... 221 E x te n t th a t R e s p o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic L e a r n A b ou t th e P u b lic S c h o o ls fr o m F r ie n d s and N e i g h b o r s ........................................ 222 P e r c e n t a g e o f R e s p o n d e n ts W ho L e a r n e d " V ery M uch" o r "Q uite a B it" fr o m C o m m u n ic a tio n M e d ia and R ank O r d e r by V otin g P u b lic o f M e d ia U s e d by E a c h V otin g P u b l i c ............................................................. 103 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic W ho H a v e H e a rd A n y th in g B ad A bou t the P u b lic S c h o o ls L a te ly . . . 107 ix Page N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic W ho H ave H ea rd A n yth in g G ood A bou t the P u b lic S c h o o ls L a te ly . . . . 108 F e e lin g of R e sp o n d e n ts by V oting P u b lic A bout S c h o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C o m p a red to O th er S ch o o l D i s t r i c t s ............................................. 112 F e e lin g o f R e sp o n d e n ts by L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g A bou t S ch o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C o m p a red to O th er S ch o o l D i s t r i c t s ............................................. 114 F e e lin g of R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork Id e n tific a tio n A bout S c h o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C om p ared to O th er S ch o o l D i s t r i c t s ............................................. 116 F e e lin g of R e sp o n d e n ts by P r o p e r ty O w n ersh ip A bout S ch o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C o m p a red to O th er S ch o o l D i s t r i c t s ............................................. 117 How R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic V oted in P a s t M illa g e E l e c t i o n s .................................................. 118 How R e sp o n d e n ts by L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g V oted in P a s t M illa g e E l e c t i o n s .............................. 119 How R e sp o n d e n ts by A m ou n t o f P a r tic ip a tio n in P u b lic S ch o o l A ff a ir s V oted in P a s t M illa g e E le c t io n s ............................................................ 12 1 How R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork Id e n tific a tio n V oted in P a s t M illa g e E l e c t i o n s .............................. 122 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b lic to V o te to C ontin ue the P r e s e n t L e v e l of L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a t i o n s .................... 124 L ik e lih o o d of R e sp o n d e n ts by L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g to V o te to C on tin u e the P r e s e n t L e v e l of L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a t i o n s .................... 125 x Page L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts b y W ork Id e n tific a tio n to V o te to C on tin u e the P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S c h o o l O p e r a t i o n s ......................... 127 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts b y P r o p e r ty O w n e r ­ sh ip to V o te to C on tin u e th e P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S c h o o l O p e r a t i o n s ......................... 128 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts b y L en g th o f R e s id e n c e to V o te to C o n tin u e the P r e s e n t L e v e l of L o c a l M illa g e fo r S c h o o l O p e r a t i o n s ......................... 129 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y A m o u n t o f P a r t i c i ­ p a tio n in P u b lic S c h o o l A f f a ir s to V o te to C on tin u e th e P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S c h o o l O p e r a t i o n s ............................................................. 130 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y V otin g P u b lic to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r S p e c ifie d P u r p o s e s ...................................................................................... 132 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y A m o u n t o f P a r t ic ip a t io n in P u b lic S c h o o l A f f a ir s to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s . . . . 135 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y L en gth o f R e s id e n c e to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a l a r i e s ................................................................. 135 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts by L e v e l o f S c h o o lin g to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s ...................................................................................... 137 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork I d e n tific a tio n to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s ...................................................................................... 139 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y V otin g P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d th e P r e s e n t S u p er in ten d en t of S c h o o l s .................................................. 150 xi TABLE 4 -5 0 4 -5 1 4 -5 2 4 -5 3 4 -5 4 4 -5 5 4 -5 6 Page N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s of R e sp o n d e n ts b y V o tin g P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d the S ta tem en t: " V o c a tio n a l C o u r s e s A r e P r e s e n t ly O ffe re d to S tu d en ts in O ur L o c a l P u b lic H igh S ch o o ls" a s T ru e or F a ls e ................................................................. 152 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V o tin g P u b lic Who Id e n tifie d the S ta tem en t: " A m e r ic a n G o v e rn m e n t Is a R eq u ired C o u r s e fo r A ll S tu d en ts in O ur L o c a l P u b lic H igh S ch o o ls" a s T ru e o r F a ls e ................................................................. 153 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y V otin g P u b lic W ho Id en tifie d th e S ta tem en t: "The G rand R a p id s J u n io r C o lle g e I s O p era ted by The G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u cation" a s T ru e o r F a ls e ................................... .... ........................ 154 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V oting P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d th e S ta tem en t: " T ex tb o o k s A r e F u r n ish e d F r e e to A ll S tu dents A tten d in g P u b lic S c h o o ls in G rand R apids" ................................................................. a s T ru e o r F a ls e 156 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V oting P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d the S ta tem en t: "The G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls A r e T r a n s ­ p o r tin g S tu d en ts by B u s fo r the F ir s t T im e T h is F a ll" a s T ru e o r F a ls e ........................................ 157 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d the S ta tem en t: " M em b e rs o f the G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u c a ­ tio n A r e A pppointed by th e S u p erin ten d en t of S ch o o ls" a s T ru e o r F a l s e ............................................. 159 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic W ho Id e n tifie d th e S ta tem en t: "C ity In co m e Tax M on ey Is U se d to O p e r a te the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S ch o o ls" a s T ru e o r F a ls e ......................................................................................... 160 x ii TABLE 4 -5 7 4 -5 8 4 -5 9 4 -6 0 Page R e s p o n s e s by V otin g P u b lic to th e S ta tem en t: " T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls A r e " ...................................................................................... 164 R e s p o n s e s by V o tin g P u b lic to the S ta tem en t: "I W ould L ik e the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls t o ___________ " .................................................................................... 168 R e s p o n s e s b y V otin g P u b lic to the Q u e stio n : "H ave Y ou H ea rd A n y th in g B ad A b o u t the L o c a l P u b lic S c h o o ls L a t e ly ? If Y E S , W h at? " ...................................................................................... 172 R e s p o n s e s by V o tin g P u b lic to th e Q u e stio n : "H ave Y ou H ea rd A n yth in g G ood A b ou t th e L o c a l P u b lic S c h o o ls L a t e ly ? If Y E S , W h at? " ...................................................................................... 175 x iii LIST O F FIG U R ES FIGURE 3 -1 3 -2 4 -1 5 -1 Page S u m m a ry o f O p e r a tio n a l M illa g e E le c t io n s in the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S ch o o l D is t r ic t . . . . 53 N u m b er o f R e s id e n c e s w ith in the G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D is t r ic t and N u m b er of R e sp o n d e n ts S e l e c t e d ............................................................ 56 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n t a g e s o f R e sp o n d e n ts R etu rn in g C o m p leted Q u e s tio n n a ir e s ......................... 66 S e le c te d C e n su s T r a c ts in w h ich R e s id e n ts M o s t L ik e ly W ill V o te F a v o r a b ly in F u tu re S ch o o l M illa g e E l e c t i o n s ............................................................194 x iv CHAPTER I IN TR O D U C TIO N In tr o d u ctio n to th e P r o b le m A p r o b le m , m o r e p e r p le x in g e a c h d ay, to p u b lic s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l and lo c a l B o a r d s o f E d u c a tio n in M ic h ig a n i s m a in ta in in g and im p r o v in g the q u a lity o f t h e ir e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m s w ith in the fin a n c ia l lim it a t io n s im p o s e d upon th e m by l e g i s l a t i v e a c tio n and c o n s titu tio n a l d e c r e e . T h is p r o b le m i s e s p e c i a l l y a c u te d u r in g p e r io d s of r is in g e x p e n d itu r e s . F o r e x a m p le , R o e* l i s t s the f o llo w ­ in g r e a s o n s fo r th e e s c a la t in g c o s t s o f e d u c a tio n today; in fla tio n , e x te n s io n o f p r o g r a m s and s e r v i c e s by the s c h o o ls , h ig h e r s ta n d a r d s and r e q u ir e m e n ts fo r te a c h in g p e r s o n n e l, in e f f ic ie n t s c h o o l d i s t r i c t o r g a n iz a tio n , in c r e a s e in p o p u la tio n , and e x t e n s io n o f p r o g r a m s to in c lu d e y o u n g e r and o ld e r a g e g r o u p s . E m p h a s is on c o m p e n s a to r y p r o g r a m s fo r the d isa d v a n ta g e d w h ich in c lu d e lo w e r c la s s r o o m r a t io s , p e r ip h e r y p e r s o n n e l, and t e a c h e r a id e s , and th e s p ir a lin g * R o e, G id d is, and N ie ls e n , " F in a n c in g M ic h ig a n 's S c h o o ls , " M ich ig a n S ta te U n iv e r s ity : B u rea u o f E d u c a tio n R e s e a r c h , 19 63. 1 2 c o s t s o f s c h o o l c o n s tr u c tio n a r e a ls o co n trib u tin g f a c t o r s in p erp etu a tin g t h e s e c o s t s . It a p p e a r s th at c o s t s w ill con tin u e to r i s e during the f o r e s e e a b le fu tu r e . And t h e s e c o s t s of p u b lic ed u ca tio n m u st b e m e t by in c r e a s e d ta x e s a t e it h e r the lo c a l, the s t a te , o r the n a tio n a l le v e l o f g o v e r n m e n t. A m e r ic a n p u b lic ed u ca tio n th ro u g h o u t i t s h is t o r y h a s b een p r im a r ily a r e s p o n s ib ilit y o f th e lo c a l and s ta te le v e ls o f g o v e r n ­ m en t. B e c a u s e the C o n stitu tio n of the U nited S ta te s c o n ta in s no r e fe r e n c e to p u b lic ed u ca tio n , it h a s b e e n in te r p r e te d a s b ein g a fun ction o f the v a r io u s s t a t e s . S tate le g is la t u r e s h a v e a s s u m e d p len a ry p o w e r o v e r the p u b lic s c h o o ls of the s t a te . And by a c t s o f th e s e le g is la t u r e s , c o n tr o l and su p p o r t of p u b lic ed u ca tio n h a s b een turned o v e r in a la r g e d e g r e e to lo c a l c o m m u n itie s . To im p le m e n t th is c o n tr o l o f ed u ca tio n , lo c a l s c h o o l b o a r d s h a v e b een c r e a te d by the le g is la t u r e a s a lo c a l p a r tn e r s h ip in the p r o c e s s o f e d u ca tio n . In th is p a r tn e r sh ip the s t a te a p p r o p r ia te s c e r ta in fu n d s, le g i s l a t e s c e r ta in m in im u m sta n d a r d s (s c h o o l b u ild in g c o d e s , te a c h e r c e r t i ­ fic a tio n , c u r r ic u la r r e q u ir e m e n ts ) and then d e le g a t e s o p e r a tio n a l r e s p o n s ib ility to th e lo c a l s c h o o l b o a rd in clu d in g p a r tia l fin a n cin g of a co m m u n ity sta n d a rd o f ed u ca tio n . T he S tate o f M ic h ig a n 's h is t o r y i s no e x c e p tio n to th is o p e r a tio n a l fo r m a t o f p u b lic ed u ca tio n in the U n ited S ta te s . The 3 C o n stitu tio n o f th e S tate o f M ic h ig a n o f 1963 ( e f f e c t iv e J a n u a ry 1, 1964) c l e a r ly s p e l l s ou t th e s t a te and lo c a l r e s p o n s i b il it i e s fo r the m a in te n a n c e o f p u b lic e d u c a tio n . r e la t e s s p e c if i c a ll y to t h is . A r t ic le 8, S e c tio n s 1 and 2 , S e c tio n 1 s t a te s : " R e lig io n , m o r a lit y , and k n o w le d g e b ein g n e c e s s a r y to good g o v e r n m e n t and the h a p p in e s s o f m an k in d , s c h o o ls and th e m e a n s o f e d u c a tio n s h a ll f o r e v e r be e n c o u r a g e d . " And S e c tio n 2 c o n c lu d e s : "T he L e g is la t u r e s h a ll m a in ta in and su p p o r t a s y s t e m o f f r e e p u b lic e le m e n t a r y and s e c o n ­ d a ry s c h o o ls a s d efin e d b y la w . E v e r y s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s h a ll p r o v id e fo r the e d u c a tio n o f i t s p u p ils w ith o u t d is c r im in a t io n a s to r e lig io n , c r e e d , r a c e , c o lo r , o r n a tio n a l o r ig in . " A r t ic le 9 o f the C o n stitu tio n , r e la tin g to fin a n c e and ta x a tio n , i s a ls o im p o r ta n t. S e c tio n 5 s e t s up an e q u a liz e d a s s e s s m e n t p r o c e d u r e ; S e c tio n 6 d e f in e s the 1 5 -m ill lim ita tio n u n le s s a lte r e d by a v o te of a m a j o r it y of the q u a lifie d e le c t o r s ; and S e c tio n 11 e s t a b lis h e s a s t a te s c h o o l aid fund w h ich s h a ll be u s e d e x c lu s iv e l y fo r a id to s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s , h ig h e r e d u c a tio n and s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s ' r e t ir e m e n t s y s t e m s . A n n u a lly the s t a t e le g is la t u r e d e t e r m in e s th e o p e r a tio n a l funds w h ic h s h a ll b e d is tr ib u te d to the lo c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s th ro u g h a "S tate A id A ct" w h ich in c lu d e s a fo r m u la to d e t e r m in e the a m o u n t th at a g iv e n s c h o o l d i s t r i c t i s e n title d to r e c e i v e . In e s s e n c e th is a m o u n ts to a fou n d ation p r o g r a m - - a n a tte m p t on th e p a r t o f the 4 le g is la t u r e to p r e s c r ib e an e q u a l d is tr ib u tio n o f s t a te fu n d s b a s e d on the n e e d s and w e a lth o f e a c h s c h o o l d is t r ic t . It i s not the w r i t e r ' s p u r p o se to a s s e s s th e e q u a lity o f t h is fo r m u la a s i t a p p lie s to v a r io u s s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s th ro u g h o u t th e s t a t e . It i s s u f f ic ie n t to s a y th a t m a n y lo c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s a r e lo o k in g to w a r d th e s t a te and f e d e r a l g o v ­ e r n m e n ts to a s s u m e a la r g e r p e r c e n ta g e o f the c o s t o f e d u c a tio n . H o w e v e r , e v e n i f the s t a t e and f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n ts do a s s u m e a g r e a t e r r e s p o n s ib ilit y , i t a p p e a r s th a t the lo c a l ta x p a y e r i s g o in g to co n tin u e to a s s u m e a m a jo r r o l e fo r fin a n c in g p u b lic s c h o o ls in the fu tu r e . T a k en a s a w h o le , lo c a l M ic h ig a n s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s c o n tr ib u te a p p r o x im a te ly 57% of th e c o s t o f o p e r a tin g t h e ir s c h o o ls . m o n e y i s r a is e d th ro u g h a tax on p r o p e r ty . T h is lo c a l T he a m o u n t of the 1 5 - m i l l ta x th at a lo c a l u n it r e c e iv e d (th e co u n ty , the lo c a l s c h o o ls , the In te r m e d ia te d is t r ic t , o r the to w n sh ip ) i s d e te r m in e d a n n u a lly b y the C ounty A llo c a tio n B o a r d , w h ich m e e t s in M ay and a p p o r tio n s th e 15 m i l l s to the v a r io u s u n its a c c o r d in g to i t s b e s t ju d g m en t o f n eed b a se d upon b u d g e ta r y e v id e n c e . The h is t o r y o f th e d is tr ib u tio n o f fu n d s by th e A llo c a tio n B oard i s th a t m o s t s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s h a v e found th at th e ir s h a r e o f the 1 5 - m il l a llo w a b le ta x r a te i s in s u f f ic ie n t to p r o v id e a d eq u a te fu n d s fo r a c o m p le te e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m . To p r o v id e a s o lu tio n to t h is 5 p r o b le m , th e M ich ig a n C o n stitu tio n p e r m it s th e 1 5 - m i l l lim it a tio n to be in c r e a s e d fo r a p e r io d o f n o t to e x c e e d 20 y e a r s , i f a p p r o v e d by a m a jo r ity o f the e l e c t o r s o f the d i s t r i c t . If th e in c r e a s e in m illa g e i s to b e fo r a p e r io d in e x c e s s o f fiv e y e a r s , o n ly p r o p e r ly o w n e r s m a y v o te on th e q u e s tio n . If it i s fo r l e s s than f iv e y e a r s , a ll q u a lifie d e l e c t o r s m a y v o te on th e i s s u e . Such v o te d o p e r a tio n a l m illa g e s a r e now a p a r t o f th e fin a n c ia l r e s o u r c e s o f a lm o s t a l l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s w ith in ou r s t a t e . F o r the s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 5 -6 6 the e x tr a v o ted m illa g e s e x c e e d e d th e a llo c a te d m illa g e by m o r e than $ 6 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 th ro u g h o u t th e s t a te . S ta te m e n t o f th e P r o b le m T he p r o b le m to be s tu d ie d i s th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a p lan fo r con d u ctin g fu tu re o p e r a tio n a l m illa g e e l e c t io n s in th e G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D is t r ic t . The p lan w ill in c lu d e the r e c o m m e n d a tio n o f p r o ­ c e d u r e s , te c h n iq u e s , and s t r a t e g ie s w h ic h w i l l e n c o u r a g e a fa v o r a b le v o te in su c h e le c t io n s . C itiz e n s e x e r c i s e p o lic y r e v ie w th ro u g h th e e le c t io n o f lo c a l B o a r d s o f E d u c a tio n and m a in ta in d ir e c t f in a n c ia l c o n tr o l th rou gh lo c a l bond and m illa g e e le c t io n s . T h e s e e l e c t io n s d e t e r m in e the am ou n t o f m o n e y a v a ila b le fo r c o n s tr u c tio n and r e p la c e m e n t o f b u ild ­ in g s and for the fin a n c ia l c o m m itm e n ts o f th e lo c a l c o m m u n ity , 6 w ith o u t w h ic h a q u a lity e d u c a tio n p r o g r a m i s n ot p o s s ib le . T h er efo re , i t i s im p e r a t iv e fo r lo c a l s c h o o l b o a r d s and t h e ir s t a f f s to r e v ie w and p la n c a r e f u lly the p r o c e s s e s by w h ich t h e s e e l e c t io n s a r e c a r r ie d out. B e c a u s e the s c h o o ls a r e on e o f the few r e m a in in g p u b lic e n t e r p r is e s o v e r w h ic h ta x p a y e r s co n tin u e to m a in ta in d ir e c t c o n ­ tr o l, m a n y c i t iz e n s a r e d e e p ly c o n c e r n e d w ith the o p e r a tio n o f p u b lic s c h o o ls . C a r te r a s s e s s e d t h e ir r o le in th is m a n n er : In e a r l i e r d a y s , it w a s p o s s ib le fo r s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s to in c lu d e c i t iz e n s in th e in itia tio n a s w e l l a s in th e r e v ie w o f s c h o o l p o lic y m a k in g . B ut to d a y c it iz e n s h a v e r e la t iv e ly lit t le o p p o rtu n ity to p a r tic ip a te in th e in it ia tio n o f p o lic y . T h e ir o p p o r tu n itie s a r e lim it e d to r e v ie w , to the e le c t io n o f b oa rd m e m b e r s and to fin a n c ia l r e fe r e n d a .^ S ig n ific a n c e o f the P r o b le m C on tin u ed lo c a l su p p o r t and u n d e r sta n d in g lie a t th e h e a r t of o u r s y s t e m o f p u b lic e d u c a tio n . H a r r in g to n r e f l e c t s th e p o s itio n of m o s t e d u c a to r s w ith the fo llo w in g s ta te m e n t: L e t th e r e be no m is u n d e r s ta n d in g a s to th e v e s t e d in t e r e s t of e d u c a to r s in th e o u tc o m e o f a bond o r tax e le c t io n . C e r ta in ly i t s f a ilu r e w ill p ro b a b ly c o m p lic a te t h e ir jo b s and je o p a r d iz e e f f o r t s to m a in ta in the kind o f p r o f e s s io n a l s ta n d a r d s e s s e n t i a l fo r an a d eq u a te e d u c a tio n ; b u t, in the lon g run i t w i l l b e the c h ild r e n o f th e c o m m u n ity to d a y and it s e c o n o m ic s t a b ilit y 2 R ic h a r d F . C a r te r and W illia m R . O d e ll, The S tr u c tu r e and P r o c e s s o f S c h o o l-C o m m u n ity R e la t io n s , V o lu m e V (S ta n fo rd , C a lifo r n ia : S tan ford U n iv e r s it y P r e s s , 1966). 7 to m o r r o w th a t w ill s u ff e r th e m o s t . T h is m a y b e an old s t o r y to t e a c h e r s and a d m in is t r a t o r s , b ut tim e and a g a in th e m a jo r ity o f v o t e r s h a v e fa ile d to d e m o n s tr a te t h e ir u n d e r sta n d in g . ^ L a te r in the s a m e te x t he s t a te s : The e f f e c t iv e n e s s w ith w h ic h a s c h o o l bond o r tax i n c r e a s e in fo r m a tio n a l p r o g r a m i s o r g a n iz e d m a y w e ll b e a k e y to the e d u c a tio n a l d e s tin y o f th e c o m m u n ity . It i s t r a g ic , but n e v e r ­ t h e l e s s tr u e , that m o r e than on e su c h m e a s u r e h a s b e e n l o s t by a few v o t e s o r e v e n by o n e v o te . T o s t a t e th a t s u c h a d e fe a t h a s p e r m itte d te n s o f th o u sa n d s o f b o y s and g i r l s to r o a m th e s t r e e t s fo r h o u r s e a c h d ay w h ich th e y sh o u ld h a v e s p e n t in a c la s s r o o m i s no e x a g g e r a tio n . N o r can th e a d d itio n a l p r o b le m s o f ju v e n ile d e lin q u e n c y and r e s u ltin g in c r e a s e d c o s t s to th e t a x ­ p a y e r s b e u n d er - e s t im a t e d . ^ L ack o f lo c a l s u p p o r t and u n d e r sta n d in g o f p u b lic e d u c a tio n in m a n y M ich ig a n c o m m u n itie s a r e c r it ic a l i s s u e s to d a y . On M ay 5, 1 9 6 8 , T he G rand R a p id s P r e s s r e p o r te d a M ic h ig a n E d u c a tio n A s s o ­ c ia tio n fin d in g th a t of 120 s c h o o l o p e r a tin g m illa g e s v o te d th u s fa r in M ich ig a n in 1 9 6 8 , o n ly 61 p a s s e d . G e o r g e T a y lo r , A s s o c ia t e d P r e s s B u s in e s s W r ite r , in a n a tio n a l s u r v e y , r e p o r te d in T h e G rand R a p id s P r e s s on A p r il 2 3 , 19 6 8 , th at " th ere a r e s ig n s a l l a c r o s s the land that the A m e r ic a n T a x p a y e r i s b e c o m in g in c r e a s in g ly u n w illin g to v o te ' y e s ' on bond i s s u e s and s c h o o l b u d g e ts th at m e a n h ig h e r t a x e s fo r h im . " H e u s e d a s ill u s t r a t iv e th e s t a t e s o f N ew Y o rk , O r eg o n , F lo r id a , C a lifo r n ia , and K a n s a s , w h e r e " v o te r r e s is t a n c e 3 D r . J o h n H. H a r r in g to n , How to A d m in is t e r a S c h o o l Bond o r T ax E le c tio n In fo r m a tio n a l P r o g r a m (N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, In c. , 1 9 6 7 ), p . 9. 4 I b id . 8 c e r ta in ly i s h a rd en in g in t e r m s o f the in c r e a s in g n u m b e r of r e je c t io n s o f bond and m illa g e is s u e d ." And e v e n m o r e r e c e n tly T he G rand R a p id s P r e s s on M a rch 2 9 , 1969, r e p o r te d o p era tin g m illa g e d e fe a ts in M idlan d , M ich ig a n , and B ir m in g h a m , M ich ig a n . In M idland v o t e r s r e je c te d on M a rch 24 , 1969, th r e e p r o p o s a ls fo r in c r e a s e d tax r e v e n u e fo r M idlan d P u b lic S c h o o ls . In B irm in g h a m v o t e r s r e je c te d both a bond i s s u e fo r c o n s tr u c tio n p u r p o s e s and a m illa g e r e n e w a l. It w a s the f i r s t d e fe a t o f a m illa g e p r o p o sa l in th e d is t r ic t s in c e 1960. W hat H a r rin g to n and t h e s e s u r v e y s and n e w sp a p e r r e p o r ts r e f le c t can b e e c h o e d by th e e d u c a to r s in the s c h o o l d is t r ic t o f G rand R a p id s. F o r the f i r s t t im e in it s h is t o r y , m a n y G rand R a p id s p u b lic s c h o o l c h ild r e n a tten d ed s c h o o l p a r t - t im e d u rin g the f i r s t s e m e s t e r of the s c h o o l y e a r 1 9 6 7 -6 8 . T h is r e s u lte d fr o m the fa ilu r e of an o p era tin g m illa g e v o te in Ju n e, 1967. N ot u n til N o v e m b e r , 1967, too la te to r e s u m e n o r m a l s c h o o l o p e r a tio n s fo r that s c h o o l y e a r , did the e le c t o r a t e v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r two y e a r s . Thus the p r o b le m o f fin a n c e fo r p u b lic s c h o o l o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s in the c ity of G rand R a p id s h a s b een te m p o r a r ily s o lv e d . H o w ev e r, i t i s r e a s o n a b le to a s s u m e th a t w ith in two y e a r s a r e n e w a l, o r m o r e lik e ly an in c r e a s e , o f the p r e s e n t m illa g e r a te w ill b e n eed ed to con tinu e e v e n the s ta tu s quo o f the e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m in the G rand R ap id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . 9 P u r p o s e o f the Study T h e m a jo r p u r p o se o f th e w r it e r i s to p r o v id e the G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n and it s s t a f f w ith a w o r k a b le p la n w h ich m a y b e u s e d by th e m in co n d u ctin g fu tu re s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n c a m p a ig n s . T he stu d y w ill in c lu d e an a s s e s s m e n t o f th e v o tin g h a b its o f a r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s a m p le o f c it iz e n s in o r d e r to d e t e r m in e th e ir lik e lih o o d o f su p p o r t in fu tu re m illa g e e le c t io n s . T he d e v e lo p m e n t of su c h a p lan w ill a s s i s t th e B o a rd and the s t a ff in both th e s h o r t and lo n g r a n g e p la n n in g n e c e s s a r y fo r p r o m o tin g a q u a lity e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m in G rand R a p id s s in c e m o s t p h a s e s o f the s c h o o l o p e r a tio n a r e d e p e n d e n t upon lo c a l su p p o r t and u n d e r sta n d in g . T he r e c r u it m e n t and r e te n tio n o f c o m p e te n t p e r s o n ­ n e l, the in n o v a tio n and ch a n g e o f c u r r ic u lu m and in s tr u c tio n p r a c t ic e s , and th e m a in te n a n c e and c o n s tr u c tio n o f s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s a r e f a c e t s o f the e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m w h ic h a r e tie d d ir e c t ly to the su p p o rt and u n d e r sta n d in g of th e lo c a l e le c t o r a t e . T he o u tc o m e o f fu tu re m illa g e e le c t io n s w ill a f f e c t in d ep th the p la n n in g of a q u a lity e d u c a tio n p r o g r a m fo r th e b o y s and g i r l s in th e G rand R a p id s S c h o o l S y ste m . S e v e r a l a p p r o a c h e s f o r a c c o m p lis h in g th e p u r p o se o f the stu d y w e r e c o n s id e r e d . T he m o s t a p p r o p r ia te o n e a p p e a r e d to b e that of r e s e a r c h in g s p e c if i c q u e s tio n s , th e a n s w e r s to w h ich w o u ld 10 p ro v id e the data r e q u ir e d to f o r m u la te a m o d e l fo r co n d u ctin g o p e r a tin g m illa g e e l e c t io n s in G rand R a p id s. R e s e a r c h Q u e s t io n s to b e Studied F r o m th e m a n y q u e s tio n s c o n s id e r e d , the fo llo w in g w e r e s e le c t e d a s b e in g m o s t p e r tin e n t to t h is stud y: 1. W hat a r e th e f e e lin g s o f e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to w a rd the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 2. How m u c h d o e s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic p a r t ic ip a t e in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? 3. W hat m e th o d s a r e u s e d by e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to c o m ­ m u n ic a te w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 4. W hat d e g r e e of f in a n c ia l su p p o r t ca n b e a n tic ip a te d fr o m e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? 5. W ith in e a c h v o tin g p u b lic , w h ic h p e o p le tend to be m o s t su p p o r tiv e o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 6. How k n o w le d g e a b le a b o u t the p u b lic s c h o o ls i s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? L im ita tio n s B e c a u s e th is stu d y w i l l be co n d u cted e n t ir e ly w ith in th e s c h o o l d is t r ic t o f th e C ity o f G rand R a p id s, the a p p lic a b ility o f the 11 c o n c lu s io n s and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s to o th e r d i s t r i c t s sh o u ld b e a s s e s s e d c a r e f u lly by th o s e w is h in g to u t iliz e th e fin d in g s . T he v e r y fa c t th a t a s a m p lin g w ith in the co m m u n ity w i l l be u s e d i s i t s e l f a lim it in g f a c to r in g e n e r a liz in g fr o m the r e s u l t s . S eco n d ly , i t i s a ls o r e c o g n iz e d th a t both th e g e o g r a p h ic b o u n d a r ie s of s c h o o l d is t r ic t s and d e m o g r a p h ic c o m p o s itio n o f n e ig h b o r h o o d s w ith in a co m m u n ity a r e in the p r o c e s s o f c h a n g e . T h u s, a s the v o tin g p u b lic s w ith in a g iv e n g e o g r a p h ic a l a r e a ch a n g e , th e v o tin g p a tte r n s o f that p a r tic u la r a r e a w ith in th e c o m m u n ity m a y a ls o ch a n g e. T h ir d ly , it i s lik e ly th at th r o u g h th is stu d y th e w r it e r w ill d is c o v e r c e r ta in o p in io n s and a ttitu d e s th a t a r e p o s s e s s e d by the v o tin g p u b lic s ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h e w r it e r m a k e s no a tte m p t in th is stu d y to ch an ge the b e h a v io r a l p a tt e r n s w h ich a r e found to e x is t . A s s u m p tio n s A b a s ic a s s u m p tio n m a d e in the c a r r y in g out o f th is stu d y i s th at lo c a l B o a r d s o f E d u c a tio n , and in p a r t ic u la r the G rand R a p id s B oard o f E d u c a tio n , w i l l r e ta in a p r im a r y r e s p o n s ib ilit y fo r s e c u r ­ ing the fin a n c e s fo r su p p o rtin g the e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m o f the lo c a l s c h o o l d is t r ic t . I t i s fu r th e r a s s u m e d th at th e m eth o d b y w h ich a d d itio n a l m o n ie s (beyond the a llo c a te d 15 m ills ) a t the lo c a l le v e l w ill b e ob ta in ed w ill be th ro u g h the p r o c e s s o f lo c a l o p era tin g m illa g e e l e c t io n s . 12 D e fin itio n o f T e r m s T he d e fin itio n s w h ich fo llo w a r e p r o v id e d fo r c la r if ic a t io n and in te r p r e ta tio n to the r e a d e r . T h e s e d e fin itio n s w ill n o t n e c e s ­ s a r ily a p p ly u n iv e r s a lly o u ts id e of th e s c o p e o f th is stu d y . Q u a lifie d E le c t o r - - a p e r s o n w ho h a s a tta in e d the a g e o f 21 y e a r s and w ho r e s id e d in a s t a te s i x m o n th s and w ho m e e t s lo c a l r e s id e n t r e q u ir e m e n ts (in G rand R a p id s th is r e q u ir e ­ m e n t i s 20 d a y s p r io r to the e le c t io n ) . H e i s n ot r e q u ir e d to own p r o p e r ty . M ill - - t h e u n it u se d to id e n tify and co m p u te p r o p e r ty tax (a m i l l i s 1 /1 0 o f one c e n t). A o n e - m i l l tax r a te w ill p r o d u c e a r e tu r n o f one d o lla r p e r $ 1 , 000 o f p r o p e r ty v a lu a tio n . F if t e e n M ill L im ita tio n - - a n a m e n d m e n t to the C o n s titu tio n o f th e S ta te o f M ic h ig a n s o that p r o p e r ty m a y n o t b e ta x ed b eyon d 15 m i l l s fo r a ll lo c a l p u r p o s e s (to w n sh ip s , s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s , and c o u n tie s) e x c e p t by a v o te o f th e m a j o r ­ ity o f the q u a lifie d e l e c t o r s o f the d i s t r i c t s . C ounty A llo c a tio n B oard - - a s ix - m e m b e r b oard c o m p o s e d o f the C ounty S u p e r in te n d e n t, C h a irm a n o f th e B o a rd o f S u p e r v is o r s , the C oun ty T r e a s u r e r , and th r e e m e m b e r s a p p o in ted by the J u d g e o f P r o b a te w h o m e e t a n n u a lly to d iv id e the 1 5 - m i l l a llo w a b le tax r a t e . R e s id e n c e - - a h o u se h o ld w h e r e a t l e a s t on e p e r s o n r e s i d e s w ho fo r c e n s u s p u r p o s e s i s c o n s id e r e d a h ead of a f a m ily . V a ca n t lan d, v a c a n t a p a r tm e n ts , and v a c a n t h o u s e s a r e n ot c o n s id e r e d r e s id e n c e s fo r th e p u r p o s e s o f th is s tu d y . 13 C e n su s T ract - - a g e o g r a p h ic a l d e s ig n a tio n w ith in the b o u n d a r ie s of th e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t and C ity o f G rand R a p id s. It i s u s e d fo r p la n n in g a s w e ll a s o p e r a tio n a l p u r p o s e s and i s e s t a b lis h e d w ith in the fo llo w in g g e n e r a l g u id e lin e s : It l i e s w ith in m a jo r t r a f f ic th o r o u g h fa r e s and m a y b e lim it e d by g e o g r a p h ic a l b a r r i e r s ( r i v e r s , h ills , la k e s ). It e n c o m p a s s e s a lo g ic a l r e s id e n t ia l n eig h b o r h o o d . It g e n e r a lly i s s e r v e d by o n e e le m e n ta r y n e ig h b o r ­ h ood s c h o o l. V otin g P u b lic - - a c a te g o r y o f p e o p le w ith in a c o m m u n ity w ho in d e p e n d e n tly fo r m a g ro u p w h ic h h a s a s e t o f co m m o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . T he fo llo w in g v o tin g p u b lic s a r e d e fin e d fo r p u r p o s e s o f th is study: P u b lic s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e - - a r e s id e n c e in w h ic h a t l e a s t one c h ild a tte n d s a p u b lic s c h o o l (g r a d e s p r e K -1 2 ) and no c h ild r e n a tten d a n o n -p u b lic s c h o o l (g r a d e s p r e K -1 2 ); C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e - - a r e s id e n c e in w h ich a t le a s t on e c h ild a tte n d s a C h r is tia n s c h o o l (g r a d e s p r e K -1 2 ); C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e - - a r e s id e n c e in w h ic h a t le a s t o n e c h ild a tte n d s a C a th o lic s c h o o l (g r a d e s p r e K -1 2 ); P r e - s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e - - a r e s id e n c e w h ich h a s on ly p r e - s c h o o l c h ild r e n ( a g e s 0 -5 ) n ot a tten d in g any p u b lic o r n o n -p u b lic r e g u la r d a y s c h o o l p r o g r a m ; N o n - s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e - - a r e s id e n c e in w h ic h th e r e a r e no c h ild r e n p r e s e n t ly a tte n d in g a p u b lic o r n o n -p u b lic s c h o o l (g r a d e s p re K -1 2 ) and in w h ich no p r e - s c h o o l c h ild r e n r e s id e . 14 D e s ig n o f th e Study T he stu d y i s a d e s c r ip t iv e s u r v e y . It p r o v id e d in fo r m a tio n , f a c ts , and o p in io n s ab ou t th e fiv e m a jo r v o tin g p u b lic s in G rand R a p id s. the stu d y . The fin d in g s a r e in te r p r e te d and r e la te d to the p u r p o s e s of T w o a u t h o r it ie s , B e s t and G ood, d e fin e and id e n tify the c h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f d e s c r ip t iv e r e s e a r c h . B e s t ' s d e fin itio n i s th e fo llo w in g : D e s c r ip t iv e r e s e a r c h d e s c r ib e s and in t e r p r e t s w h at i s . It i s c o n c e r n e d w ith c o n d itio n s o r r e la t io n s h ip s th a t e x is t ; p r a c t ic e s th at p r e v a il; b e lie f s , p o in ts o f v ie w , o r a ttitu d e s th at a r e b ein g f e lt , o r tr e n d s that a r e d e v e lo p in g . T he p r o c e s s o f d e s c r ip t iv e r e s e a r c h g o e s b eyon d m e r e g a th e r in g of d a ta . It in v o lv e s an e le m e n t o f in te r p r e ta tio n o f th e m e a n in g o r s ig n if ic a n c e o f w h at i s d e s c r ib e d . ® Good a l s o id e n t if ie s th e p u r p o s e s and u s e s o f s u r v e y in v e s t ig a t io n w ith t h is sta te m e n t: T h e m o r e a n a ly tic a l s c h o o l s u r v e y s o f the p a s t two d e c a d e s t e ll u s n o t o n ly w h e r e w e a r e in a p a r tic u la r s c h o o l s y s t e m , but a ls o r e c o m m e n d n e x t s t e p s b y w a y o f p r o g r e s s and s u g g e s t the m e th o d s o f r e a c h in g th e g o a l o f an im p r o v e d in s t r u c t io n a l p r o ­ g r a m . T h is v ie w i s o n e a n s w e r to c r i t i c s o f the d e s c r ip t iv e s u r v e y m eth o d w ho s o m e t im e s s a y th a t it i s n ot a f o r w a r d lo o k in g a p p r o a c h to th e s o lu tio n o f e d u c a tio n a l p r o b le m s . C e r ­ ta in ly a d eq u a te s u r v e y d ata in the h a n d s o f an in v e s t ig a t o r o f in s ig h t can be u s e d fo r fo r w a r d -lo o k in g p u r p o s e s . Joh n W. B e s t , R e s e a r c h in E d u ca tio n (E n g lew o o d C lif fs , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 1 9 5 9 ), pp. 1 0 2 -1 0 3 . g C a r te r V. G ood, E s s e n t i a l s o f E d u c a tio n a l R e s e a r c h (N ew Y ork: A p p le to n -C e n tu r n -C r o fts , 1 9 6 6 ), p. 192. 15 T he u n iv e r s e fo r the stu d y i s the s c h o o l d i s t r i c t o f the C ity o f Grand R a p id s and th e p o p u la tio n fr o m w h ic h th e r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e s e le c t e d a r e the r e s id e n t s o f the c o m m u n ity . A s t r a t if ie d ra n d o m sa m p lin g o f r e s id e n c e s w a s m a d e in th e s e le c t io n o f r e s p o n d e n ts . D ata w a s o b ta in ed by m e a n s o f a m a ile d q u e s t io n n a ir e /o p in io n n a ir e d e sig n e d b y the w r it e r . T he s t r a t a id e n tifie d fo r th is stu d y a r e the fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s o f th e G rand R a p id s c o m m u n ity . a r e d efin e d by C a r te r 7 V o tin g p u b lic s a s p r e - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , p u b lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , p r iv a te s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s , n o n - s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s , and p o s t - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s . In t h is stu d y p o s t - s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s and n o n - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s a r e c o m b in e d in to o n e p u b lic; and b e c a u s e o f the u n u su a l c o m p o s itio n of the G rand R a p id s S c h o o l D is t r ic t , the p r iv a te s c h o o l r e s id e n c e p u b lic i s d iv id e d in to tw o g r o u p s - - C h r is t ia n s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s and C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s . S u b -s tr a ta w ith in e a c h p u b lic a r e id e n tifie d u s in g su c h v a r ia b le s a s p r o p e r ty o w n e r ­ sh ip , e d u c a tio n a l b a ck g ro u n d , le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in th e c o m m u n ity , and o c c u p a tio n . D a ta i s g r o u p e d a c c o r d in g to f r e q u e n c ie s and p e r c e n t a g e s around th e fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s and th e s u b - s t r a t a id e n tifie d w ith in ea c h p u b lic . 7 T he r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s s e r v e d a s th e b a s is fo r the C a r te r and O d e ll, o p . c it. , p. 13. 16 gro u p in g and r e p o r tin g o f the d a ta . R e c o m m e n d a tio n s and c o n c lu s io n s a r e draw n fr o m the in fo r m a tio n ob tain ed and the i n t e r ­ p r e ta tio n s m a d e fr o m the data a s r e la te d to the p u r p o s e s o f the stud y. S u m m a ry and O v e r v ie w In th is ch a p te r the w r it e r h a s a tte m p te d to id e n tify the p ro b lem to b e stu d ie d , the s ig n if ic a n c e o f th is p r o b le m both in Grand R a p id s and th ro u g h o u t the s t a te o f M ich ig a n , the q u e s tio n s to b e stu d ied r e la te d to the p r o b le m , c e r ta in lim ita tio n s and a s s u m p ­ tio n s r e c o g n iz e d in m a k in g th is stu d y , and a b r ie f r e v ie w of the d e sig n o f the stu d y . A d e fin itio n o f t e r m s h a s a ls o b e e n in clu d ed fo r c la r if ic a t io n to the r e a d e r . In s u c c e e d in g c h a p te r s th e p e r tin e n t lite r a tu r e i s r e v ie w e d in clu d in g th at r e la te d to m illa g e and bond e le c t io n s and the p r e s e n t m eth o d o f s c h o o l fin a n cin g in M ich ig a n . In C hap ter III the plan o f o p e r a tio n i s d is c u s s e d . The s e ttin g , in c lu d ­ ing a s h o r t h is t o r y o f the C ity of G rand R a p id s, i s p r e s e n te d a lo n g w ith the m e th o d o lo g y u s e d fo r the s e le c t io n o f the s a m p le , d e v e lo p ­ m en t of the in str u m e n ta tio n u se d in the stu d y , and the m eth o d u se d in the r e p o r tin g and th e in te r p r e tin g of th e d ata. fin d in g s a r e p r e s e n te d . In C h a p ter IV th e In P a r t II of C h ap ter IV the o b je c tiv e d ata r e la te d to the r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s a r e r e p o r te d and c a te g o r iz e d . 17 B e c a u s e s u b j e c tiv e , o p e n -e n d e d r e s p o n s e s w e r e a l s o so u g h t th rou gh the q u e s tio n n a ir e fro m th e r e s p o n d e n ts , a s e p a r a t e s e c t io n of C h ap ter IV (P a r t III) i s d e v o te d to the r e p o r tin g and in te r p r e ta tio n of t h e s e d a ta . F in a lly , in C h a p te r V c o n c lu s io n s a r e d raw n and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s a r e m a d e b a se d upon th e w r i t e r ' s in te r p r e ta t io n of the m a jo r fin d in g s of the stu d y . C H A P T E R II S E L E C T E D R EV IE W O F L IT E R A T U R E O v e r v ie w T he m eth o d o f fin a n c in g p u b lic e d u c a tio n in M ich ig a n and the m e a n s o f s o li c it in g p u b lic su p p o r t fo r bond and m illa g e e le c t io n s a r e tw o of th e m o s t p e r p le x in g and co n tin u in g p r o b le m s co n fro n tin g p u b lic s c h o o l s t a f f s , s t a te le g is la t u r e s , and lo c a l B o a r d s o f E d u c a ­ tion . In th is s e c t io n , th o s e s t u d ie s , p u b lic a tio n s , and o th e r p r o f e s ­ s io n a l lit e r a t u r e a r e r e v ie w e d w h ich a r e e ith e r c o n c e r n e d w ith the m eth od o f fin a n c in g p u b lic e d u c a tio n in M ich ig a n o r w h ich a r e r e la te d to the g a in in g o f p u b lic u n d e r sta n d in g and fin a n c ia l su p p o r t fo r p u b lic s c h o o l o p e r a tio n th ro u g h bond and m illa g e e le c t io n s . So w id e s p r e a d i s th e i n t e r e s t g e n e r a te d by the to p ic of fin a n cin g p u b lic e d u c a tio n that it fr e q u e n tly a p p e a r s in p o p u la r w e e k ly and m o n th ly m a g a z in e s and d a ily n e w s p a p e r s a s w e ll a s in the m o s t so p h is tic a te d r e s e a r c h jo u r n a ls and p u b lic a tio n s . N ew sp a p ers, ra d io , and t e le v is io n h a v e a lw a y s found a r e a d y a u d ie n c e w h en d i s ­ c u s s in g m e th o d s o f su p p o r t fo r p u b lic s c h o o ls . 18 19 S ch o o l F in a n c in g in M ich ig a n T he p r e s e n t s y s t e m o f a p p r o p r ia tin g m o n e y to lo c a l d is t r ic t s in M ic h ig a n e v o lv e s th ro u g h the le g is la t iv e e n a c tm e n t of a State A id A c t. T h is A c t in c lu d e s a fo r m u la fo r d e te r m in in g the am ount o f m o n e y th at e a c h lo c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t r e c e i v e s fr o m the s ta te . In a d d itio n to s t a te su p p o r t, lo c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s p r o v id e a d d itio n a l funds fo r o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s . In M ic h ig a n t h e s e lo c a l funds a r e o b ta in ed a lm o s t t o ta lly by a ta x on p r o p e r ty . P e r io d ic a lly the p r o p e r ty ta x m e th o d o f fin a n c in g p u b lic ed u ca tio n in M ic h ig a n h a s b e e n q u e stio n e d by s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l, le g is la t o r s , and o t h e r s in t e r e s t e d in the w e lf a r e o f p u b lic e d u c a tio n . T he p r o p e r ty ta x m eth o d i s q u e stio n e d fo r s e v e r a l r e a s o n s , in c lu d ­ in g the in a d e q u a c y in t e r m s o f th e to ta l d o lla r s w h ic h a r e a p p r o p r ia te d fo r s c h o o l p u r p o s e s , the in e q u a lity o f th e a p p r o p r ia tio n to lo c a l d i s ­ t r ic t s , and the c o m p le x ity o f the fo r m u la d e fin in g th e m e th o d of d is tr ib u tio n o f s t a te m o n e y to lo c a l d i s t r i c t s . A n im p o r ta n t stu d y a s s e s s i n g the a p p r o p r ia te n e s s o f the p r e s e n t m e th o d o f fin a n cin g p u b lic e d u c a tio n in M ic h ig a n i s e n title d S ch ool F in a n c e and E d u c a tio n a l O p p o rtu n ity in M ic h ig a n . T h is stu d y w a s a u th o r iz e d in J u ly , 1 9 6 6 , by the M ic h ig a n L e g is la t u r e , a c tin g upon a r e q u e s t fr o m the M ic h ig a n S ta te B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n . S u b se­ q u en tly, D r . J . A la n T h o m a s, D ir e c t o r o f th e M id w e s t A d m in is tr a tio n 20 C e n te r , lo c a te d a t th e U n iv e r s it y of C h ic a g o , w a s a p p o in ted to d ir e c t the stu d y . L a te r t h is stu d y w ill be s im p ly r e f e r r e d to a s th e " T h o m a s R ep o rt. " T h is s tu d y w a s an e x a m in a tio n o f e d u c a tio n a l o p p o r tu n itie s a v a ila b le to the y o u th of M ic h ig a n , and o f th e r e la t io n s h ip o f t h e s e o p p o r tu n itie s to th e fin a n c in g o f e d u c a tio n . P r o f ile s o f v a r ia b le s w e r e e x a m in e d w h ic h in c lu d e d the n a tu r e o f p r o g r a m s and s e r v i c e s , the q u a lific a tio n s o f p e r s o n n e l, the q u a lity o f s c h o o l h o u s in g , and s e le c t e d o u tp u ts s u c h a s d r o p -o u t r a t e s and p u p il a c h ie v e m e n t. On th e b a s i s o f th e T h o m a s R e p o r t, d if f e r e n c e s in e d u c a tio n o p p o r tu n itie s in M ic h ig a n w e r e id e n tifie d . F in d in g s o f the stu d y r e la te d to d e m o g r a p h ic d ata a b o u t th e stu d e n t p o p u la tio n o f the s t a te and the r e la t io n s h ip o f t h is d a ta to the stu d e n ts ' e d u c a tio n a l o p p o r ­ tu n itie s in M ic h ig a n , the su p p ly and d em a n d of q u a lifie d p e r s o n n e l, the fin a n cin g of s c h o o l c o n s tr u c tio n , and the t o ta l e x p e n d itu r e by d is t r ic t fo r e d u c a tio n in M ic h ig a n . T h e s o u r c e s o f r e v e n u e fo r the su p p o rt o f p u b lic and n o n -p u b lic e d u c a tio n and the o r g a n iz a tio n o f lo c a l and in te r m e d ia t e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s in M ic h ig a n w e r e a ls o p a r t of the a s s e s s m e n t . In p a r t th e r e c o m m e n d a tio n s o f th e T h o m a s R e p o r t r e la tin g to the fin a n c in g o f e d u c a tio n in M ich ig a n a r e sta te d a s fo llo w s: T he m o s t e f f e c t iv e w a y to g u a r a n te e th a t th e e d u c a tio n a l o p p o r ­ tu n itie s o f c h ild r e n in M ic h ig a n w o u ld be e q u ita b ly d is tr ib u te d w ould b e th ro u g h a s h if t to w a rd s t a t e r e s p o n s ib ilit y in p r o v id in g 21 r e v e n u e s fo r th e o p e r a tio n o f s c h o o ls . T o ta k e the e x t r e m e c a s e , i f th e s t a te w e r e to p a y th e e n t ir e c o s t o f fin a n c in g a b a s ic e d u ­ c a tio n a l p r o g r a m a s d e te r m in e d by lo c a l and s ta te a u t h o r it ie s , by d is tr ib u tin g a g iv e n p e r p u p il d o lla r a m o u n t to e v e r y s c h o o l d is t r ic t in th e s t a t e , a h ig h l e v e l o f f i s c a l e q u a lity w ou ld r e s u lt . A d d itio n a l r e v e n u e s w o u ld b e o b ta in ed by lo c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s th rou gh t h e ir r ig h t to le v y v o te d m illa g e . O ne s o lu tio n to th is p r o b le m w ou ld be fo r th e s t a te to r e im p o s e it s r ig h t to tax p r o p e r ty . If th e s ta te w e r e to le v y a s t a t e - w id e p r o p e r ty ta x o f, s a y , 12 m i l l s on e a c h d o lla r o f s t a te e q u a liz e d v a lu a tio n and to d is t r ib u t e the p r o c e e d s e q u a lly on a p e r p u p il b a s is to a l l d i s t r i c t s fo r o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s , a n u m b e r of b e n e ­ f ic ia l r e s u l t s w ou ld o c c u r . If t h is p r o p o s a l i s n ot c o n s id e r e d f e a s ib le , a n o th e r a lt e r n a t iv e i s a v a ila b le . T he r a tio n a le fo r s t a t e a s s e s s m e n t and ta x a tio n o f u t i l i t i e s and in d u s t r ia l p r o p e r ty i s e v e n s t r o n g e r than the a r g u m e n t fo r a s t a te ta x on a l l k in d s o f p r o p e r ty . In th e f i r s t p la c e , s in c e th e e m p lo y e e s o f la r g e in d u s t r ie s ( e s p e c ia lly in the m e tr o p o lita n a r e a s ) fr e q u e n tly r e s id e in a s c h o o l d i s t r i c t o th e r than w h e r e an in d u s t r ia l p la n t i s lo c a te d , th e r e i s n ot the s a m e r e la t io n s h ip b e tw e e n t a x e s paid and b e n e f its r e c e iv e d th at i s p r e s e n t in th e c a s e o f r e s id e n t ia l p r o p e r ty . A lo c a l tax on in d u s t r ia l p r o p e r ty m a y t h e r e f o r e b e p a r t ia lly s h ifte d to in d i­ v id u a ls o u ts id e th e s c h o o l d is t r ic t . In th e s e c o n d p la c e , the p r o b le m o f a s s e s s i n g in d u s t r ia l p r o p e r ty i s e x t r e m e ly c o m p le x , and on e w h ic h co u ld b e s ^ b e c a r r ie d out by a c o r p s o f h ig h ly tr a in e d s t a te a s s e s s o r s . ~ P r e s u m a b ly the in te n t in e it h e r r e c o m m e n d a tio n w ou ld be to p r o v id e th ro u g h a c o m b in a tio n o f r e v e n u e s fr o m the p r o p e r ty ta x and the s t a te a id fund a s p e c if ie d a m o u n t p e r p u p il th ro u g h o u t the sta te . T h is a m o u n ts to a g e n e r a l fo u n d a tio n p r o g r a m . L ocal sch ool d is t r ic t s w ou ld s t i l l co n tin u e th e ir p r e s e n t p r a c t ic e o f g o in g to the J . A la n T h o m a s, S c h o o l F in a n c e and E d u c a tio n a l O p p o r ­ tun ity in M ic h ig a n , M ic h ig a n D e p a r tm e n t o f E d u ca tio n , 19 6 6 , pp. 3 2 6 -3 2 7 . 22 p u b lic fo r e x tr a v o te d m illa g e . T h u s, e v e n i f th e T h o m a s R e p o r t w e r e im p le m e n te d , a r e s p o n s ib ilit y fo r fin a n c ia l su p p o r t w o u ld s t i l l be m a in ta in e d b y lo c a l s c h o o l s y s t e m s th ro u g h the v o tin g of a d d i­ tio n a l m o n ie s a b o v e th e s t a te fo u n d a tio n p r o g r a m . A s o f th is d a te , v a r io u s e d u c a tio n a l g r o u p s and th e le g is la t u r e i t s e l f a r e a s s e s s i n g the r e c o m m e n d a tio n s and fin d in g s o f th e T h o m a s R e p o r t. T he re p o r t sta n d s to d a y a s p r o b a b ly the m o s t c o m p r e h e n s iv e s u r v e y m ade o f th e fin a n c in g o f M ic h ig a n S c h o o ls and fr o m th a t p e r s p e c t iv e alon e i s o f s ig n if ic a n c e to a l l in t e r e s t e d in th e w e lf a r e o f p u b lic e d u ­ ca tio n in M ic h ig a n . A n o th e r c r i t i c o f the p r e s e n t s t a t e s c h o o l f in a n c ia l p r o g r a m i s the f o r m e r S ta te S u p e r in te n d e n t o f P u b lic I n s tr u c tio n , D r. Ir a P o lle y . In an a d d r e s s p r e s e n te d a t th e M ic h ig a n A s s o c ia t io n o f S ch ool A d m in is t r a t o r s a t M a c k in a c Isla n d on S e p te m b e r 2 4 , 1 9 6 8 , en title d " E d u ca tio n F in a n c e : T he P r e s e n t and the F u tu r e , " D r. P o lle y lis t e d f iv e s h o r t c o m in g s o f th e p r e s e n t s y s t e m o f f in a n ­ cing p u b lic e le m e n t a r y and s e c o n d a r y e d u c a tio n in M ic h ig a n . T he sh o r tc o m in g s id e n tifie d by D r . P o lle y a r e th a t th e s y s t e m i s in a d e ­ quate; it i s u n fa ir and p r o d u c e s in e q u a litie s ; i t i s i l l o g i c a l and ir r a tio n a l; i t i s u n r e a lis t ic ; and i t fo g s r e s p o n s ib ilit y and a u th o r ity . In c a t e g o r iz in g h is r e c o m m e n d a tio n s fo r s o lu t io n s in to a lo n g -r a n g e p ro b ra m , D r . P o lle y sta te d : "In m y v ie w , s t a te g o v e r n m e n t, in the 23 lon g run, sh o u ld a c c e p t f u ll f in a n c ia l r e s p o n s ib ilit y fo r e d u c a tio n . " He id e n t if ie s th e e s s e n t i a l f e a t u r e s o f a s ta te s y s t e m o f r e s p o n s i ­ b ility by in c lu d in g a s ta te w id e p r o p e r ty ta x , s u b s ta n tia lly in c r e a s e d F e d e r a l A id in th e fo r m o f g e n e r a l g r a n t s , and fu r th e r r e o r g a n iz a ­ tio n of s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s . H e c o n c lu d e s h is lo n g -r a n g e p r o g r a m w ith th is p r o v o c a tiv e sta te m e n t: I do n o t b e lie v e th a t lo c a l b o a r d s d e r iv e p o w e r , v it a lit y , and in flu e n c e fr o m p o s s e s s i n g th e p r e s e n t o b lig a tio n to m ou n t m illa g e c a m p a ig n s e v e r y y e a r o r s o - - o r m o r e o fte n in m a n y c a s e s . T h is h a s to b e an e n o r m o u s d r a in o f t im e and a b ilit y w h ich sh o u ld in s t e a d b e d e v o te d to s e e k in g im p r o v e m e n ts in c u r r ic u lu m and in fu lf illin g the b a s ic r o le o f a b o a r d . ^ T h e w is d o m o f t h is fo r m a t f o r fin a n c in g e d u c a tio n in M ic h i­ gan at s o m e fu tu r e tim e p e r h a p s h a s m e r i t . T he f e a s ib ili t y and p r a c t ic a b ilit y o f im p le m e n tin g s u c h a p r a c t ic e a t t h is d a te , h o w e v e r , a p p e a r s d o u b tfu l. D r . P o lle y a p p e a r s to r e c o g n iz e the im p r a c t ic a lit y of h is p r o p o s a l in the im m e d ia te fu tu r e w h en h e m a d e h is s h o r t ra n g e r e c o m m e n d a tio n s . H e s u g g e s t s a s u b s ta n tia l i n c r e a s e in the am ou n t o f S ta te A id , a d ju s tm e n ts in th e S ta te A id fo r m u la to r e lie v e the p o o r e r d i s t r i c t s , and an in c r e a s e in th e lo c a l m illa g e e f f o r t th at i s r e q u ir e d fo r fu ll p a r tic ip a tio n in s t a te g r a n t s . It s e e m s a p p a ren t that e v e n one o f the m o s t v o c a l and in flu e n tia l a d v o c a te s o f a b o lis h in g 2 Ira P o lle y , " E d u ca tio n F in a n c e: T h e P r e s e n t and the F u tu re" (p a p e r r e a d a t th e M ich ig a n A s s o c ia t io n o f S ch o o l A d m in ­ i s t r a t o r s , M a c k in a c I s la n d , S e p te m b e r 2 4 , 1 9 6 8 ). 24 lo c a l o p e r a tin g m illa g e e le c t io n s a ls o r e c o g n iz e s th e im m e d ia te n eed fo r in c r e a s e d lo c a l su p p o r t u n til our le g is la t u r e can b e c o m e a c c l i ­ m ated to the n e e d f o r lo n g -r a n g e and m o r e en d u rin g s o lu t io n s . T h e M ic h ig a n S c h o o l B o a rd A s s o c ia t io n i s a l s o c o n c e r n e d w ith m illa g e e l e c t io n s and the funding o f p u b lic e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m s th rou gh ou t th e s t a t e . A t th e ir an n u al c o n v e n tio n o f b o a rd m e m b e r s in G rand R a p id s l a s t y e a r , d e le g a te m e m b e r s sa id by r e s o lu tio n : L o c a l s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s sh o u ld b e g iv e n the s a m e a u th o r ity now e x is t in g fo r s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n m illa g e , a r e a v o c a tio n a l e d u c a ­ tio n , and c o m m u n ity c o l l e g e s , to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e beyond the 15 m i l l lim it (18 w h e r e a p p lic a b le ) fo r g e n e r a l o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s , w h ic h w ou ld co n tin u e fr o m y e a r to y e a r w ith o u t lim ita tio n u n til r e v o k e d by th e p e o p le . ** R e a so n s g iv e n fo r t h is r e s o lu tio n w e r e th a t it i s b e c o m in g i n c r e a s ­ in g ly d iffic u lt to w in a p p r o v a l fo r an n u al m illa g e r e q u e s t s and b e c a u s e e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m s a r e b e in g p la c e d in c h a o tic je o p a r d y w ith funding d ep en d e n t upon the f e e lin g s o f a p a r tic u la r e le c t o r a t e . Bond and M illa g e E le c t io n s T h e lit e r a t u r e r e v ie w e d in th is s e c t io n r e la tin g to s c h o o l bond and m illa g e c a m p a ig n s r e f l e c t s tw o b a s ic a r e a s o f c o n c e r n . F ir s t , th e r e a r e th o s e a r t i c l e s w h ic h r e la t e to th e "how to do it" o f 3 M ic h ig a n S c h o o l B o a rd A s s o c ia t io n , R e s o lu tio n s and R e c ­ o m m e n d a tio n s , R e p o r t p r e p a r e d a t th e an n u a l m e e tin g o f th e M ic h i­ gan S ch o o l B o a rd A s s o c ia t io n in G rand R a p id s, N o v e m b e r , 19 6 8. 25 s c h o o l m illa g e e l e c t io n s - - w h o to c o n ta c t, w h en to h o ld th e e le c t io n s , how to r a i s e the m o n e y fo r th e e le c t io n , w ho to a p p o in t to le a d the ca m p a ig n , and how to c o n ta c t the v a r io u s v o t e r s w ith in the c o m ­ m u n ity. S e c o n d ly , th e r e a r e th o se a r t i c l e s and s t u d ie s w h ic h d e fin e the n eed fo r lo n g -r a n g e p lan n in g and c o n tin u o u s a s s e s s m e n t o f v o t e r a ttitu d e s w ith in th e c o m m u n ity . T he lit e r a t u r e r e v ie w e d c o n s i s t s o f a r t i c l e s a p p e a r in g in n e w s p a p e r s , p r o f e s s io n a l e d u c a tio n a l j o u r n a ls , c o m m u n ic a tio n r e s e a r c h s t u d ie s , and s e v e r a l u n p u b lish e d d o c to r a l d is s e r t a t io n s . The p u r p o se of t h is s e c t io n i s to a s s e s s a r t i c l e s and s t u d ie s w h ich r e la te to th e tw o a r e a s d e fin e d a b o v e . In the to ta l r e v ie w th e w r it e r w as u n ab le to find a stu d y w h ich p a r a lle ls the w o rk p r e s e n te d h e r e , w h e r e the e m p h a s is and a s s e s s m e n t o f v o t e r a ttitu d e i s c o n c e n tr a te d in one c o m m u n ity . M o s t o f th e s t u d ie s and a r t i c l e s r e v ie w e d r e f l e c t a g e n e r a l o v e r v ie w o f th e p r o b le m o f bond and m illa g e e le c t io n s and w e r e w r itte n w ith th e in te n t o f a p p e a lin g to a b ro a d r a n g e o f r e a d e r s w ith v a r ie d i n t e r e s t s . H o w e v e r , t h is r e v ie w o f th e lit e r a t u r e h a s p ro v id ed the w r it e r w ith a b r o a d e r b a ck g ro u n d and u n d e r sta n d in g o f m illa g e e le c t io n s t r a t e g y and th e u n iv e r s a lit y o f the p r o b le m s in h e r e n t in the co n d u ctin g of s u c c e s s f u l c a m p a ig n s . In g e n e r a l, jo u r n a l a r t i c l e s h a v e b een th e "how to do it" type o f a p p ro a ch w h ic h , a s w r itte n , m ig h t h a v e a p p lic a tio n to a ll 26 c o m m u n itie s . B e c a u s e o f th e a tte m p t o f t h e s e a r t i c l e s to a p p e a l to a b road a u d ie n c e , th e a p p lic a b ilit y and r e la t io n s h ip to t h is stu d y i s lim ite d , s in c e th e in te n t o f th is stu d y i s to c l o s e l y d e lin e a t e v o tin g h a b its and a t tit u d e s o f in d iv id u a ls (o r g r o u p s o f in d iv id u a ls ) w ith in the G rand R a p id s s c h o o l c o m m u n ity . E v e n on a n a tio n -w id e b a s is th e r e i s an a p p a r e n t la c k o f c o n s is te n c y o f o p in io n a b o u t how c e r ta in f a c t o r s a f f e c t the o u tc o m e o f m illa g e e l e c t io n s . F o r e x a m p le , a s e a r ly a s 1 9 4 6 , th e r e w a s c o n c e r n w ith d e a lin g w ith th e o p p o s itio n g r o u p s . A t th at t im e , R e e d e r sta te d : If any o r g a n iz e d o p p o sitio n a p p e a r s , it w ill be a good s t r a t e g y to ig n o r e the o p p o s itio n and th u s a v o id th e d a n g e r o f a ttr a c tin g p u b lic a tte n tio n to i t o r the fu r th e r d a n g e r o f in c itin g th e o p p o ­ s it io n to g r e a t e r e f f o r t . It i s b e t te r p s y c h o lo g y to b o o s t the m e r i t s o f th e tax r e q u e s t than to a tta c k the a r g u m e n ts and the m e m b e r s o f th e o p p o s itio n . ^ S o m e y e a r s la t e r th e o p p o s ite p o in t of v ie w i s h eld by L e s lie W. K in d r e d , w ho a d v ise d : In th o s e c o m m u n itie s w h e r e the o p p o s itio n r e f u s e s to c o o p e r a te and s u b s e q u e n tly w a g e s a ca m p a ig n a g a in s t th e bond p r o p o s a l, th e r e i s o n ly on e c o u r s e o p e n - - a n s w e r e v e r y p oin t m a d e by the o p p o sitio n , v ig o r o u s ly and o fte n . ^ W ard G. R e e d e r , C a m p a ig n s fo r S c h o o l T a x e s (N ew Y ork: The M a c M illa n C o . , 1 9 4 6 ), pp. 1 7 -1 8 . 5 L e s l i e W . K in d red , How to T e ll th e S c h o o l S to r y ( E n g le ­ wood C lif fs , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 1 9 6 0 ), p. 3 6 0 . 27 T he s i z e of v o t e r tu rn ou t i s m e n tio n e d b y s o m e s o u r c e s a s a k ey a r e a in the s u c c e s s of a s c h o o l bond p r o p o s a l. T here is , h ow ­ e v e r , a g a in lit t le a g r e e m e n t on w h e th e r a la r g e o r s m a ll tu rn ou t at the p o lls i s m o s t fa v o r a b le . O tis A . C r o sb y rep o rted : "Your g ch a n ces fo r s u c c e s s w ill be m u ch g r e a t e r w ith a s m a lle r tu r n o u t.11 M r. C r o sb y , the D ir e c t o r o f the D e p a r tm e n t o f In fo rm a tio n S e r v ic e , D e tr o it P u b lic S c h o o ls, g o e s to the e x te n t of s u g g e s tin g that s c h o o l o f fic ia ls h e lp e n s u r e a s m a ll tu rn o u t a t the p o lls by a v o id in g b u m p er s t ic k e r s , p o s t e r s in s t o r e w in d o w s o r bank lo b b ie s , lite r a tu r e attach ed to d o o r s , and anyth in g that g e t s out a la r g e n u m b er of p eo p le. He a ls o a d v ise d th at c a m p a ig n e r s sh ou ld " w e lc o m e the p r e s s but d o n 't flood i t w ith in fo r m a tio n . 7 o p p o sitio n a s w e ll a s the s u p p o r te r s . 11 E v e r y s t o r y a le r t s the M r. C r o sb y con ten d ed that the b e s t p o lic y i s to a ttr a c t to the p o lls o n ly th o se c it iz e n s w ho a r e "the m o s t c e r ta in 1y e s ' v o t e r s in the co m m u n ity . " H o w e v e r , in an e a r lie r e d itio n o f the s a m e p u b lica tio n , John H. H a rrin g to n sta ted : It i s b e s t to in c lu d e a s c h o o l bond p r o p o s a l in an e le c t io n of m a x im u m in t e r e s t to the co m m u n ity . R e c o r d s show that s c h o o ls h a v e a b e tte r ch a n ce w h e n e v e r v o tin g i s th e h e a v ie s t. O tis A . C r o sb y , "How to M ake B onds a W inning I s s u e ," N a tio n 's S c h o o ls, 7 2 :2 7 -8 (J u ly , 1963). 7Ibid. 28 A lig h t v o te j u s t a s o fte n w ill s p e ll d e fe a t b e c a u s e o f in d if f e r e n c e o r w id e s p r e a d o v e r c o n fid e n c e . T o o m a n y h o u s e w iv e s and fa th e r s m a y think t h e ir in d iv id u a l v o t e s r e a lly w on ' t m a k e an y d if f e r e n c e anyw ay. ® R e e d e r su p p o r te d th is v ie w and noted: In p r o m o tin g a r e q u e s t fo r a s c h o o l ta x , s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls sh o u ld r e m e m b e r th at in the ty p ic a l c o m m u n ity , a p p r o x im a te ly t w o th ir d s o f th e e lig ib le v o t e r s do n ot h a v e c h ild r e n in s c h o o l and that an y f a ilu r e to p r o m o te th e r e q u e s t w ith th is m a jo r ity g ro u p m a y r e s u lt in an a d v e r s e v o te . S c h o o l o f f ic ia ls sh o u ld tr y to m a k e c e r ta in th a t e a c h e lig ib le v o t e r o f th e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t i s in fo r m e d on the m e r i t s o f the ta x r e q u e s t and th a t h e i s a s k e d to v o te fo r th e r e q u e s t. T h ey sh o u ld do t h is b e c a u s e o f th e t e n ­ d e n c y a m o n g v o t e r s to v o te "no" on i s s u e s ab out w h ic h th ey a r e u n in fo rm ed o r ab ou t w h ich th e y a r e ig n o r e d b y ca m p a ig n s p o n ­ so rs. ® A n o th e r a r e a o f c o n t r o v e r s y c o n c e r n s the u s e o f p u p ils in s c h o o l bond c a m p a ig n s . K in d red sa id : N o lit e r a t u r e sh o u ld e v e r be s e n t ou t o f a s c h o o l s y s t e m by p u p ils a s k in g p a r e n ts and o th e r ta x p a y e r s to v o te " y e s" on a p r o p o s a l. The s c h o o l i s lim it e d to an im p a r tia l s t a te m e n t o f f a c t s c o n c e r n in g th e n eed ; the r ig h t o f d e c is io n r e s t s w ith the v o te r . H o w e v e r , in a v e r y s u c c e s s f u l s c h o o l bond c a m p a ig n , M a r s h a ll G. B a th o r e la te d th at h is s c h o o l s y s t e m "told the stu d e n ts that th ey cou ld sh o w th e ir lo y a lty and d e v o tio n to th e ir s c h o o l and th e ir co m m u n ity in no b e t te r w a y than b e u n itin g in a c o n c e n tr a te d John H. H a r r in g to n , " B lu e p r in t fo r a S u c c e s s f u l Bond o r T ax E le c t io n , " N a t io n 's S c h o o ls , 6 4 :5 6 -7 (O c to b e r , 1959). g R e e d e r , op. c it. , pp. 1 6 -1 7 . 10 L e s lie W . K in d red , S ch o o l P u b lic R e la tio n s (E n g lew o o d C liffs , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 1 9 5 7 ), p. 381 29 e ffo r t in h e lp in g the bond i s s u e c a m p a ig n . n11 T he p u p ils w en t d o o r - t o - d o o r e x p la in in g th e n eed o f the a d d itio n a l f a c i l i t i e s and w e r e e s p e c ia ll y p r e p a r e d to a n s w e r the q u e s tio n s and o b je c tio n s of the p e o p le . U s in g a d a ily r e p o r t s h e e t, a g ro u p o f 35 stu d e n ts v is ite d m o r e than 1 ,5 0 0 h o m e s in fiv e e v e n in g s . And e v e n a s fa r back a s 1948, e d u c a tio n a l a u th o r ity G unnar H orn sta te d in t h is re g a r d : T h e r e i s no sou nd r e a s o n fo r b a r r in g s tu d e n ts fr o m ta k in g p a r t in c o n t r o v e r s ie s o r c a m p a ig n s in v o lv in g th e s c h o o ls . S tu d en ts a r e c e r t a in ly v it a lly in v o lv e d in the e d u c a tio n p r o c e s s e s and sh o u ld ta k e an a c t iv e and e a r n e s t i n t e r e s t in t h e ir s c h o o ls . A fte r a l l th e s c h o o l i s o n e s u b je c t on w h ich s tu d e n ts ca n sp ea k fr o m e x p e r ie n c e . If s tu d e n ts a r e in d iff e r e n t ab ou t n ew b u ild ­ in g s , a d eq u a te s a l a r i e s fo r t h e ir t e a c h e r o r o p tim u m c l a s s s i z e s , then a d m in is t r a t o r s and t e a c h e r s a r e fa llin g dow n on the j o b . 12 T he r e v ie w o f lit e r a t u r e r e v e a ls th at th e d e g r e e o f c it iz e n in v o lv e m e n t i s a ls o a h o tly c o n te s te d m a tt e r a m o n g s c h o o l bond ca m p a ig n p la n n e r s . " C itiz e n s can be u s e f u l in im p le m e n tin g a s c h o o l bond c a m p a ig n , but the k e y p la n n in g sh o u ld b e d one by e x p e r ie n c e d s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls d ir e c t e d b y the s c h o o l su p e r in te n d e n t, ,f a d v o c a te s R e e d e r . 13 A n o th e r s o u r c e , L e s lie K in d red , h o w e v e r , * ^ M a r sh a ll G. B a th o , " S tu d en ts, O u r P R P u n c h ," A m e r i ­ can S ch o o l B o a rd J o u r n a l, 137:21 ( D e c e m b e r , 1 9 5 8 ). 12 G u nn ar H o r n , P u b lic S c h o o l P u b lic it y (N ew Y ork: P u b lish in g C o. , 1 9 4 8 ), p. 97 . 13 R e e d e r , op . c it. , pp. 2 9 -3 5 . In o r 30 s t a te s that "too o ften s c h o o l a d m in is t r a t o r s f a il to g iv e the c it iz e n s enough r e s p o n s ib ilit y d u rin g the ca m p a ig n . " 14 He co n ten d s that the r e s p o n s ib ility fo r s c h o o ls b e lo n g s to the p e o p le , and to o a c t iv e p a r ­ tic ip a tio n by s c h o o l a u th o r itie s m a y g iv e r i s e to s u s p ic io n o f s e lf i s h m o tiv e s and c o m p la in ts of tim e and e n e r g y tak en fr o m c la s s r o o m in str u c tio n and o th e r d u tie s . R e c e n t r e s e a r c h of the lit e r a tu r e te n d s to sh ow th a t the cam p aign sh o u ld p la c e e m p h a s is upon th e b e n e fits of the p r o p o se d f a c ilit ie s r a th e r than the c o s t s of p ro v id in g th e m . The e d u c a tio n a l valu e of the p r o g r a m th at w ill e v o lv e w ith the p r o p o se d f a c i l i t i e s should be the m a in p o in t d u rin g the ca m p a ig n . "A void t e c h n ic a l d is c u s s io n s o f c o s t s , " s t r e s s e s O tis A . C ro sb y . " P e o p le w on' t u n d ersta n d th e m , and w hen th e y try to r e p e a t f a c t s , th e y 1 11 r e p e a t th em w r o n g . " W hen p r e s e n tin g m a t e r ia l to th e p u b lic , M r. C ro sb y a d v is e s : M ention , now and th en , s o m e o f the le s s - t h a n - p e r f e c t a s p e c t s of y o u r s c h o o ls . T alk ab ou t p o o r d e s k s , fa llin g p la s t e r , la r g e c l a s s e s , in a d eq u a te lib r a r y f a c i l i t i e s , fr e q u e n t t e a c h e r t u r n ­ o v e r . P e o p le o ften a r e m o v e d b y su c h m e s s a g e s b e c a u s e th ey go to the h e a r t - - t h e o rg a n c o n tr o llin g the p o ck etb o o k . E ld e r ly c it iz e n s a r e e s p e c ia lly o p p o se d to an in c r e a s e in lo c a l p r o p e r ty t a x e s s in c e the m a jo r ity o f th em liv e on a fix ed in co m e fr o m y e a r to y e a r . 14 T h e s e p e o p le a c c o u n t fo r a p p r o x im a te ly 15 K in d red , S ch o o l P u b lic R e la t io n s , op . c i t . , pp. 3 8 0 -3 8 1 . C r o sb y , op. c it. , p. 14. 31 ten p e r c e n t o f th e p o p u la tio n , and th is i s s t e a d ily in c r e a s in g . Sam M. L a m b e r t, D ir e c t o r , R e s e a r c h D iv is io n o f th e N a tio n a l E d u ­ cation A s s o c ia t io n , r e m a r k s : T h e r e i s a g r o w in g p r o p o r tio n o f o u r p o p u la tio n in the o ld e r a g e b r a c k e t s . . . . t h e s e p e r s o n s , by and la r g e , a r e liv in g on fix e d in c o m e , and the p r o p e r ty ta x i s on e o f th e m o s t d iff ic u lt to p ay. The e l d e r ly r e m a in a d iff ic u lt s e c t io n o f the c it iz e n r y to c o n ­ v in c e the p u b lic s c h o o ls n e e d and d e s e r v e t h e ir ta x su p p o r t. If it i s d e c id e d th a t e f f o r t s sh o u ld b e m a d e to a tte m p t to o b ta in the v o tin g s u p p o r t o f th e o ld e r c i t iz e n s , the a p p e a l sh o u ld be m a d e a lo n g the l in e s th a t b e t te r e d u c a tio n a l f a c i l i t i e s in c r e a s e p r o p e r ty v a lu e s , a ttr a c t h ig h e r in c o m e g r o u p s to the c o m m u n ity , and in th e lon g ru n , r e d u c e th e o v e r - a l l t a x e s . L e s s c o n t r o v e r s ia l f a c t o r s th a t a r e r e g u la r ly c o n s id e r e d to be e le m e n ts o f f a ilu r e a r e a s fo llo w s : la c k o f stu d y in g the s itu a tio n , lack o f u n a n im o u s B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n and P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c i a ­ tion e n d o r s e m e n t s , p r o b le m s c o n c e r n in g th e c o m m u n ity tax s itu a tio n , d is s a t is f a c t io n w ith th e p r e s e n t e d u c a tio n a l s y s t e m , the p o lic y o f s e llin g the c o s t s o f th e p r o p o se d f a c i l i t i e s r a th e r than the b e n e f it s , the u s e o f t h r e a t s d u rin g the c a m p a ig n , and th e a b s e n c e of a c o n ­ tinuous p u b lic r e la t io n s p r o g r a m fo r th e s c h o o l s y s t e m . T he la c k o f a g r e e m e n t a m o n g e d u c a tio n a l a u th o r it ie s i s v e r y e v id e n t in the lit e r a t u r e and i s n o t o f a n y s u b s ta n tia l h e lp in th e planning o f a s c h o o l m illa g e c a m p a ig n in a s p e c if i c c o m m u n ity . 16 Sam M . L a m b e r t, " S ch o o l T a x e s - - A G r o w in g P r o b le m ," S peech b e fo r e th e A m e r ic a n A s s o c ia t io n o f S c h o o l A d m in is t r a t o r s , A tla n tic C ity , N ew J e r s e y , F e b r u a r y 17, 1 9 6 9 . 32 S o m e s o u r c e s s u g g e s t th a t o p p o sitio n g r o u p s sh o u ld b e ig n o red w h ile o th e r s b e lie v e th a t a r g u m e n ts r a is e d b y the o p p o s i­ tion sh ou ld be a n s w e r e d p o in t fo r p o in t. A lim it e d c a m p a ig n a im e d to a ttr a c t o n ly a s m a ll n u m b er o f p o te n tia l " y e s ” v o t e r s i s a d v o c a te d by one a u th o r w h ile a n o th e r c la im s th a t a b ig v o t e r tu rn o u t i s m o s t b e n e fic ia l fo r a s c h o o l bond c a m p a ig n . O ne s o u r c e r e p o r t s that stu d en ts can b e u s e d v e r y e f f e c t iv e ly in th e p r o m o tio n o f a s c h o o l bond p r o p o s a l w h ile a n o th e r f e e l s th a t s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls ca n n o t e t h i ­ c a lly u s e p u p ils to r e q u e s t a " y e s" v o te fr o m th e c o m m u n ity . C itiz e n s' c o m m it t e e s sh o u ld b e u s e d , s t a t e s on e o b s e r v e r , but o n ly in e x e c u tin g th e p r o g r a m w h ic h th e e x p e r ie n c e d s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls should p la n . H o w e v e r , t h is c o n ta in m e n t o f r e s p o n s ib ilit y b y s c h o o l a u th o r itie s o fte n le a d s to c h a r g e s o f s e l f i s h m o t iv e s and n e g le c t o f ed u ca tio n d u t ie s , w a r n s a n o th e r w r it e r . A s c h o o l o f f ic ia l o r in t e r e s t e d c it iz e n w h o i s a tte m p tin g to d ev elo p a ca m p a ig n p r o g r a m w ould so o n be m y s t if ie d w h en fa c e d w ith the c o n tr a d ic tio n s and in c o n s is t e n c i e s th at a p p e a r in th e e d u c a ­ tio n a l p u b lic a tio n s w ith r e g a r d to the p r o c e d u r e s to fo llo w in p lan n in g p u b lic s c h o o l m illa g e c a m p a ig n s . T he p r e v a ilin g t h e s is i s th at few g e n e r a liz a t io n s a p p ly to s p e c ific lo c a l m illa g e . It a p p e a r s in a n a ly z in g th e r e c o m m e n d e d e le c tio n p r o c e d u r e s id e n tifie d in the lit e r a t u r e th a t e d u c a tio n a l 33 o b s e r v e r s b e lie v e th a t c e r ta in c o n d itio n s and a c t iv it ie s a r e p r e s e n t r e p e a te d ly in p u b lic s c h o o l m illa g e c a m p a ig n s th a t a r e f a ilu r e s , but th ey d is a g r e e on how s o m e o f th e f a c t o r s a c tu a lly a f f e c t th e o u tc o m e of in d iv id u a l m illa g e c a m p a ig n s . T h e ta sk r e m a in s to id e n tify w ith in ea ch c o m m u n ity th e p o s it iv e and n e g a tiv e p o te n tia l o f e a c h f a c e t o f the c a m p a ig n and p la n a c c o r d in g ly . T h e s e c o n d a r e a o f r e v ie w r e la t in g to bond and m illa g e e le c t io n s i s th a t o f c o m m u n ity in v o lv e m e n t and lo n g -r a n g e p la n n in g . O ne o f the m o s t fa r r e a c h in g , b e s t sta ffe d and fin a n ce d s tu d ie s r e la tin g to c o m m u n ity in v o lv e m e n t i s th e stu d y co n d u cted by C a r te r o f S ta n fo rd U n iv e r s it y . s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s b y m a il. 17 T h is n a tio n w id e stu d y p o lle d 1, 054 In a d d itio n , th e r e s e a r c h e r s p e r s o n a lly in te r v ie w e d v o t e r s in 82 d i s t r i c t s . T h e r e s e a r c h so u g h t a n s w e r s to two r e la te d , but d is t in c t q u e s tio n s : f i r s t , w h a t v o t e r s , u n d er w h at c o n d itio n s, h a v e fa v o r a b le a ttitu d e s to w a rd the s c h o o ls ; and s e c o n d ly , w hat v o t e r s , u n d e r w h a t c o n d itio n s , p a r t ic ip a t e in s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? In g e n e r a l t h is stu d y d is c o v e r e d th a t the m o s t fa v o r a b le v o t e r i s the young v o t e r w ith a c h ild o f s c h o o l a g e w h o h a s r e c e n t ly b e c o m e a r e s id e n t in th e c o m m u n ity and w h o i s in a s k ille d o c c u p a tio n o r in c l e r i c a l and s a l e s w o r k . 17 T h e m o s t u n fa v o r a b le v o te r i s the you n g R ic h a r d F . C a r te r , V o t e r s and T h e ir S c h o o ls , a stu d y su p p o rted by the U n ited S ta te s O ffic e o f E d u c a tio n , C oop . R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t # 3 0 8 , W illia m R . O d e ll, D ir e c t o r , 1960 (W ashington: G o v ­ e r n m e n t P r in tin g O ffic e , 1 9 6 1 ). 34 v o te r w ith o u t c h ild r e n w ho i s a lo n g tim e r e s id e n t of th e co m m u n ity and w h o s e o c c u p a tio n i s p r o f e s s io n a l o r te c h n ic a l. A s u m m a r y of the fin d in g s to th e s e c o n d q u e s tio n a s s e s s e d , r e la te d to p u b lic s c h o o l p a r tic ip a tio n , i s sta te d a s fo llo w s : "We found out q u ic k ly th a t the m o s t a c c u r a te p ic tu r e o f v o te r v a lu e s and su p p o r t fo r ed u c a tio n la y in th e ir p a r t ic ip a t io n - - o r m o r e c o r r e c t ly th e ir la ck o f p a r tic ip a tio n . " O th e r s ig n if ic a n t fin d in g s o f th e C a r te r stu d y a r e th a t v o t e r s do w an t to know m o r e ab ou t how the s c h o o ls a r e run, and th a t v o t e r s depend m o s t ly on n e w s p a p e r s and p e r s o n a l talk w ith f r ie n d s fo r gu id an ce in le a r n in g m o r e a b o u t th e s c h o o ls . A s e c o n d stu d y by C a r te r 19 a tte m p te d to id e n tify s u c c e s s f u l tech n iq u es and p r o c e d u r e s to b e u s e d b y th o s e p r o m o tin g m illa g e e le c t io n s . H is fin d in g s a r e p a r a p h r a s e d a s fo llo w s : th e a v e r a g e turnout o f v o t e r s w a s h ig h e r a t e le c t io n s w h ic h fa ile d ; tu rn o u t of v o te r s i s i n v e r s e ly r e la te d to d i s t r i c t s i z e ( s m a lle r d i s t r i c t s h a v e h ig h e r tu r n o u ts); and th a t th e g e n e r a l p a tter n w h ich e m e r g e s fr o m the f ig u r e s (o f tu rn o u t in r e la t io n to r e g is t r a n t s ) i s that w h en the turnout i s low the p r o p o r tio n o f p r o p o s a ls that p a s s g r e a t ly e x c e e d s the p r o p o r tio n th a t f a il. 18Ib id . , p. 19 162. R ic h a r d F . C a r te r , C o m m u n itie s and T h e ir S c h o o ls , P r o je c t C A ST , U . S . O ffic e o f E d u c a tio n , 1966 (W ashington: G o v ­ e r n m e n t P r in tin g O ffic e ). 35 A th ird stu d y , on e o f the m o s t c u r r e n t, i s b y T h o m a s P . B en n ett. 20 T he p u r p o se of th e stu d y w a s to id e n tify c o m m o n c o n ­ d itio n s w ith in a c o m m u n ity w h ic h r e s u l t in s u c c e s s f u l bond a n d /o r m illa g e e le c t io n s . B e n n e t t 's s a m p le c o n s is t e d o f 334 p u b lic s c h o o l a d m in is tr a to r s (s u p e r in te n d e n ts ) w ho p a r tic ip a te d in s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s d u rin g 196 3 . re p r ese n ted . V a r io u s s i z e c i t i e s in t h ir t y - f iv e s t a t e s w e r e T h e fin d in g s and c o n c lu s io n s o f B e n n e tt1 s stu d y in d ica ted th a t th e fo llo w in g c o n d itio n s p r e s e n t in a c o m m u n ity ten d ed to be fa v o r a b le f a c t o r s fo r w in n in g e le c t io n s : w h en a g o o d , c o n tin u ­ ous p u b lic r e la t io n s p r o g r a m w a s in e x is t e n c e ; w h en th e p r o p o s a l r e c e iv e d e n t h u s ia s t ic su p p o r t fr o m s c h o o l and c o m m u n ity g r o u p s and fr o m the m a s s m e d ia ; w h en the p r o p o s a l r e c e iv e d u n a n im o u s su p p o rt of the B o a rd o f E d u ca tio n ; w h e n t h e r e i s no s tr o n g , w e l l o r g a n iz e d o p p o sitio n ; w h en t e a c h e r s ta k e a n a c t iv e p a r t and stu d e n ts an in a c tiv e p a r t in th e ca m p a ig n ; w h en la y le a d e r s a s s u m e l e a d e r ­ ship in the ca m p a ig n ; w h en th e e le c t io n i s h e ld d u rin g th e autum n; and w hen th e r e i s a la r g e tu rn o u t a t th e p o lls . B e n n e t t 's stu d y a ls o p o in ted up th e im p o r ta n c e o f p r e cam p aign r e s e a r c h and the e m p h a s is d u rin g th e ca m p a ig n of th e b e n e fits of th e p r o p o s a l r a th e r than th e c o s t . O f s p e c i a l s ig n if ic a n c e to th is stu d y i s the fo llo w in g s t a t e m e n t m a d e b y B en n ett: 20 T h o m a s P . B e n n e tt, "An A n a ly s is o f C a m p a ig n s f o r P u b lic S ch ool Bond P r o p o s a ls " (u n p u b lish ed M a ster* s t h e s i s , B o s to n U n i­ v e r s it y , B o sto n , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , 1 9 6 5 ). 36 M o re and m o r e th e r e s e e m s to be an e v e r - in c r e a s in g ly im p o r ta n t e le m e n t in p u b lic s c h o o l bond c a m p a ig n s . M any s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls a r e n e g lig e n t a t th e b e g in n in g o f a bond c a m ­ p aign by fa ilin g to a p p r a is e the c o n d itio n s and e x is tin g a ttitu d e s w ith in the v o t e r s o f th e ir c o m m u n ity . D ata c o lle c te d through r e s e a r c h can be u tiliz e d to d is c o v e r p r o b le m s e a r ly in th e c a m p a ig n . R e s e a r c h s e r v e s to id e n tify p u b lic s w ith in th e ir co m m u n ity and t h e ir r e s p e c t iv e le a d e r s and in t e r e s t s . T he co m m u n ity i s su b d iv id ed in to n u m e r o u s g r o u p s and p u b lic s and k n o w led g e of t h e s e u n its o f the s o c ie t y i s n e c e s ­ s a r y to d e a l w ith th em e f f e c t iv e ly d u rin g th e ca m p a ig n . * T he n eed fo r id e n tify in g in d iv id u a ls in the co m m u n ity w ho can a s s i s t in p ro m o tin g s u c c e s s f u l m illa g e e le c t io n s i s fu r th er illu s tr a te d by J a m e s W. L o n g s tr e th , w h en h e sa id : T he s u c c e s s f u l e d u c a to r m u s t do m o r e than m e r e ly r e c o g n iz e that p o w er s t r u c t u r e s e x is t . H e m u s t be a b le to id e n tify a c c u ­ r a te ly the in flu e n tia l le a d e r s in h is co m m u n ity . V e r y o ften the e d u c a to r i s a d v is e d to lis t e n but s e ld o m i s he a d v ise d a s to w hom he sh o u ld lis t e n . ^ O th er lit e r a tu r e i s su p p o r tiv e o f co m m u n ity study and a sse ssm e n t. One s u r v e y found th a t d ir e c t c o n ta c ts w ith v o t e r s w a s the m o s t e f f e c t iv e m eth o d of w a g in g a s u c c e s s f u l m illa g e ca m p a ig n . The a u th o rs sta ted : The p o s t bond e le c t io n s u r v e y taugh t s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls th at c o m ­ m u n ica tio n i s the k e y to g a in in g su p p o rt fo r s c h o o ls . F u tu re bond c a m p a ig n s and in fo r m a tio n p r o g r a m s in the d is t r ic t w ill 2 1 I b id ., p. 60. J a m e s W. L o n g str e th , "K now ing W h o 's W ho in P o w e r S tru ctu re Can P a y D iv id en d , " A m e r ic a n S ch o o l B o a rd J o u rn a l, A ugu st, 1966, pp. 1 0 -1 1 . 37 s t r e s s : d ir e c t m a ilin g o v e r n e w s p a p e r and t e le v is io n p u b lic ity , c it iz e n p a r tic ip a tio n in s c h o o l a c t i v i t i e s , and e f f o r t s to g e t out the v o te on e le c t io n d a y . O th er u n p u b lish e d d o c to r a l d is s e r t a t io n s a ls o s u b s ta n tia te the n eed fo r p r e - c a m p a ig n r e s e a r c h o f the c o m m u n ity . B a rb o w r e p o r te d that: R e c o m m e n d a tio n s fo r the p r e p a r a tio n and p r e s e n ta tio n o f bond p r o p o s a ls in c lu d e d e v e lo p in g a g o o d in fo r m a tio n p r o g r a m , m a k in g a d eq u a te p r e lim in a r y p la n s , h a v in g a d eq u a te p r e p a r a to r y t im e , a s s e s s i n g p u b lic ity d e v ic e s , and h a v in g a p la n n ed p r o g r a m o f a c tio n . ^ A s e c o n d stu d y b y M c D a n ie l id e n tifie d f a c t o r s w h ich a f f e c t s u c c e s s o r f a ilu r e o f s c h o o l bond i s s u e s in th r e e G e o r g ia s c h o o l d is t r ic t s o f d iffe r e n t s i z e . He c la im e d th at a d e fin a b le c lu s t e r o f co n d itio n s and p r o c e s s e s i s a lm o s t a lw a y s p r e s e n t in s u c c e s s f u l bond r e fe r e n d a . T h e fo llo w in g w e r e d e fin e d a s b ein g s ig n if ic a n t f a c t o r s in e le c t io n o u tc o m e s : The n e c e s s i t y o f co n d u ctin g a c a r e f u lly p lan n ed and c o o r d in a te d ca m p a ig n ; th e n eed fo r s e e k in g the a d v ic e and a p p r o v a l of c o m ­ m u n ity le a d e r s p r io r to p u b lic a n n o u n c e m e n t o f th e p r o p o s a l, the d e s ig n a tio n o f le a d e r s h ip r e s p o n s i b il it i e s fo r th e c a m p a ig n in r e s p e c t e d and w e ll-k n o w n la y c it iz e n s w ith s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l a s s u m in g a s u p p o r tiv e and c o n s u lt iv e r o le ; and the n eed fo r a lon g te r m and co n tin u in g p u b lic r e la t io n s p r o g r a m th rou gh 23 L a v e r n e B o s s and M ic h a e l T h o m a s , "B ond I s s u e S u rvey: M ail C a m p a ig n s P a y O f f ," N a tio n s S c h o o ls , V o l. 81, N o. 4 (A p r il, 1968), p. 82. E d w in L. B a r b o w , " E ffe c ts o f S o c io - E c o n o m ic F a c t o r s on S ch ool Bond E le c t io n s in Iow a" (u n p u b lish ed d o c to r a l d is s e r t a t io n , Iowa S tate U n iv e r s it y , 1 9 6 6 ). 38 w h ich fa v o r a b le p u b lic o p in io n fo r a d d itio n a l f in a n c ia l su p p o rt fo r e d u c a tio n i s c r e a te d . A r e c e n t a r t i c l e a p p e a r in g in the A m e r ic a n S c h o o l B o ard Jo u rn a l i s a l s o s u p p o r tiv e of g o in g to the p u b lic fo r in fo r m a tio n r e la tiv e to t h e ir u n d e r sta n d in g o f th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . In p a r t author N a g le s t a t e s : K ey to a s c h o o l d i s t r i c t ' s s u c c e s s f u l r e la t io n s w ith i t s p u b lic can b e d e s c r ib e d a s th e l e v e l o f p u b lic u n d e r sta n d in g o f the d i s t r i c t ’ s s c h o o ls . A s th e p u b lic b e c o m e s m o r e in fo r m e d ab ou t it s s c h o o ls , i t s l e v e l o f p u b lic u n d e r sta n d in g of e d u c a tio n i n c r e a s e s , and, q u ite n a tu r a lly , a s t h is le v e l o f u n d e r sta n d in g i n c r e a s e s , th e p u b lic 's w illi n g n e s s to su p p o r t i t s lo c a l s c h o o l i n c r e a s e s p r o p o r tio n a te ly .^ ® L a ter in the s a m e a r t ic le h e sta te d : To a c h ie v e a s m o o th -r u n n in g s c h o o l s y s t e m , s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls m u s t d e te r m in e w h ic h f a c t o r s c o n tr ib u te to p u b lic u n d e r s ta n d ­ in g , then d e v is e e f f e c t iv e m e a n s fo r m e a s u r in g th em w ith in the fr a m e w o r k o f a p o ll. And in a s s e s s i n g th e v a lu e o f an o p in io n p o ll, N a g le co n clu d ed : It can m e a s u r e the l e v e l o f p u b lic u n d e r sta n d in g in a d i s t r i c t and, at th e s a m e t im e , e s t a b lis h v a lu a b le c h a n n e ls o f c o m ­ m u n ic a tio n b e tw e e n s c h o o l b o a rd and p u b lic n e c e s s a r y to r a i s e that le v e l. T o a c c o m p lis h t h is , th e p o ll sh o u ld in c lu d e lim it e d and f r e e r e s p o n s e q u e s t i o n s - - t h o s e th at g iv e the r e sp o n d e n t a s e r i e s o f p o s s ib le r e p l ie s fr o m w h ich to s e l e c t th e o n e m o s t in 25 C h a r le s P . M c D a n ie l, J r . , "A Study o f F a c t o r s A ffe c tin g the O u tcom e o f S ch o o l Bond I s s u e s in S e le c te d G e o r g ia S c h o o l D is t r ic t s ," U n iv e r s it y o f G e o r g ia , 1 9 6 7 . ^ J o h n M . N a g le , "How to T e ll W h at Y o u r P u b lic R e a lly T hinks, " A m e r ic a n S c h o o l B o a r d J o u r n a l, D e c e m b e r , 19 6 8 , pp. 8 - 1 1 . 39 a c c o r d w ith h is th in k in g , a s w e ll a s th o s e th a t e n c o u r a g e h im to w r it e a one o r tw o s e n t e n c e c o m m e n t. B e fo r e co n clu d in g t h is s e c t io n o f th e stu d y d e v o te d to the r e la te d lit e r a t u r e , the w r it e r f e e l s th a t it i s a p p r o p r ia te to r e c o g ­ n iz e an o r g a n iz a tio n th a t h a s n o t b e e n r e f e r r e d to p r e v io u s ly and w h o se w o rk and lit e r a r y p u b lic a tio n s a r e c o n c e r n e d w ith th e b road fie ld of s c h o o l p u b lic r e la t io n s . T h is o r g a n iz a tio n i s th e N a tio n a l S ch ool P u b lic R e la tio n s A s s o c ia t io n (N S P R A ) and t h e ir v a r io u s s ta te a f f ilia t e s . T h e N S P R A i s a d e p a r tm e n t of th e N a tio n a l E d u ca tio n A s s o c ia tio n . P a r t o f th e s e r v i c e s w h ic h th e o r g a n iz a tio n a t th e n a tio n a l le v e l p r o v id e s i t s m e m b e r s i s a p u b lic a t io n /e d it o r ia l s y s t e m known a s S c h o o l S y ste m S e r v ic e . T h e s e r v i c e a s s i s t s lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l in d e v e lo p in g a te a m w ork c o n c e p t in c a r r y in g on s c h o o l p u b lic r e la t io n s p r o g r a m s . T h e ir p u b lic a tio n s e r v i c e p r o ­ v id e s to s c h o o l s y s t e m s m u ltip le c o p ie s o f E d u c a tio n , U . S . A . (a w e e k ly p u b lic a tio n on c u r r e n t e v e n ts in ed u ca tio n ); T r e n d s (a m o n th ly a cc o u n t of s c h o o l p u b lic r e la t io n s a c t iv it ie s ) ; It S ta r ts in the C l a s s ­ room (a m o n th ly p a m p h le t e m p h a s iz in g c la s s r o o m p u b lic r e la t io n s id e a s ); P u b lic R e la tio n s G o ld m in e (an an n u al handbook o f p u b lic r e la tio n s a r t ic le s ; and the Shape o f E d u c a tio n (an a n n u a l handbook of a r t i c l e s r e f le c t in g c u r r e n t tr e n d s in ed u c a tio n ). 40 In r e v ie w in g t h e s e p u b lic a tio n s th e w r it e r found i t d iff ic u lt to s o r t out th o s e s u g g e s t io n s , id e a s , and a r t i c l e s w h ic h r e la t e s p e ­ c if ic a lly to th e to p ic o f th is stu d y . A n in t e g r a l p a r t o f the p h ilo so p h y o f the N S P R A i s the c l o s e in v o lv e m e n t of s c h o o l, p a r e n t, and c o m ­ m unity g r o u p s . The lit e r a t u r e r e la t e d to m illa g e e le c t io n s and i t s c lo s e id e n tity w ith p u b lic and c o m m u n ity r e la t io n s i s an in t e g r a l p a rt of m a n y o f the p u b lic a tio n s o f th e N SP R A and it i s d iff ic u lt to d e lin e a te an a r t ic le o r s in g le p u b lic a tio n fo r r e v ie w . It s e e m s s u f ­ fic ie n t to id e n tify the o r g a n iz a tio n and i t s p u b lic a tio n s a s b e in g s ig n ific a n t to the to p ic of t h is stu d y and to in d ic a te th a t no r e v ie w of the lit e r a t u r e w ou ld be c o m p le te w ith o u t r e c o g n iz in g the c o n t r ib u ­ tio n s o f the N S P R A . Sum m ary T he a r t i c l e s and s t u d ie s r e v ie w e d in th is s e c t io n g e n e r a lly su p p ort the n eed fo r co m m u n ity stu d y p r io r to th e co n d u c tin g o f a m illa g e c a m p a ig n . T h e p la n n in g o f th e s p e c if ic ca m p a ig n sh o u ld then p r o c e e d arou n d the fin d in g s o f th e stu d y . T h e s p e c i f i c s - -w h en to have th e e le c t io n , w h a t c o m m u n ic a tio n v e h i c l e s to u s e , w h o to con tact fo r su p p o rt and le a d e r s h ip in the c a m p a ig n - - s h o u ld b e an outgrow th of the lo c a l stu d y , s in c e th e r e a p p e a r s lit t le c o n s is t e n c y in the lit e r a t u r e a s to the id e n tific a tio n o f t h e s e f a c t o r s a s b e in g 41 fa v o r a b le o r u n fa v o r a b le in th e ca m p a ig n s t r a t e g y . It m a y b e con clu d ed th a t th e o b j e c t iv e s and p u r p o s e s o f th is s t u d y - - t h e e s t a b ­ lis h m e n t o f a p r e - c a m p a ig n p la n fo r co n d u c tin g a m illa g e c a m p a ig n and the id e n tific a tio n o f s p e c if i c o p e r a tio n a l p r a c t ic e s and te c h n iq u e s w ith in the G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D i s t r i c t - - a r e su p p o r te d b y the l i t e r ­ a tu re r e v ie w e d . C H A P T E R III P L A N N IN G AND C O N D U C TIN G THE STUDY T he w r i t e r ' s p u r p o s e in t h is c h a p te r i s to d e s c r ib e th e co m m u n ity in w h ic h th e stu d y to o k p la c e , to d e fin e th e p o p u la tio n of the stu d y , to d e s c r ib e th e p r o c e d u r e u s e d in s e le c t in g the r e s p o n ­ d en ts, to e x p la in th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th e in s t r u m e n t e m p lo y e d to g a th er d ata fo r th e stu d y , and f in a lly , to e x p la in th e m e th o d o lo g y that w ill b e u s e d in th e p r e s e n ta t io n and a n a ly s is o f th e d a ta in C hapter IV and C h a p ter V. T h e S e t tin g - - G rand R a p id s, M ic h ig a n T he h is t o r y o f G rand R a p id s, a m id w e s te r n c ity , r e v e a ls the fa c t th a t i t s n a m e w a s d e r iv e d fr o m th e r a p id s o f th e r iv e r w h ich flo w s th rou gh s o u th w e s te r n M ic h ig a n . T h e c ity f lo u r is h e d o r ig in a lly on the e a s t bank o f th e G rand R iv e r a d ja c e n t to an In d ian v illa g e w hich w a s a t v a r io u s t im e s c o m p o s e d o f th e O tta w a s, th e C h ip p e w a s, and the P o tta w a to m ie s . T he e a r ly w h ite s e t t l e r s tr a d e d w ith t h e s e Indians and e n jo y e d fr ie n d ly r e la t io n s h ip s w ith th e m . 42 G rand R a p id s 43 w a s f i r s t in c o r p o r a te d a s a v illa g e in 1 8 2 6 , and lik e o th e r M ich ig a n c o m m u n itie s , it b eg a n a s a lu m b e r in g c e n t e r . T h is e x p la in s , in p art, it s lo c a tio n on th e G ran d R iv e r . F o r th e In d ia n s th e r iv e r m e a n t f is h and s u s t e n a n c e . For the w h ite m a n th e r a p id s m e a n t p o w e r to g r in d the g r a in and sa w th e tim b er of w h ic h W e s te r n M ic h ig a n ab o u n d ed . A c c o r d in g to L y d e n s, h o w e v e r , in h is T h e S to r y o f G rand R a p id s, th e r a p id s m a y n o t h a v e b een the a n s w e r to w h y G rand R a p id s b e c a m e s o big a s to r a te s ix t y eigh th in s i z e a m o n g th e 2 1 3 m e tr o p o lita n a r e a s in th e n a tio n in 1 9 6 5 . He s t a t e s t h is a s fo llo w s : W h ile u s in g th e G rand R iv e r a s an a c c e s s to L ak e M ich ig a n , th e r e w e r e o th e r p o r t c i t i e s in c lu d in g M u sk eg o n , G rand H aven , and H o lla n d , w h ic h w e r e m o r e s t r a t e g ic a lly lo c a te d fo r sh ip p in g and c o m m e r c e p u r p o s e s . G rand R a p id s l i e s at th e r ig h t a n g le to D e t r o it and C h ic a g o , and n o t u n til th e a r r iv a l o f the fr e e w a y s y s t e m in the la te 1 9 5 0 ' s did G rand R a p id s e v e n b e c o m e c o m ­ fo r ta b ly a c c e s s i b l e by h ig h w a y . T o th is d a te t h e r e i s no th rou gh tr a in s e r v i c e e it h e r to th e w e s t o r e a s t . B a ttle C r e e k , K a la m a ­ z o o , and J a c k s o n a ll had r a ilr o a d and te le g r a p h s e r v i c e p r io r to G rand R a p id s. * The w o r ld p e r h a p s k n o w s G rand R a p id s b e s t a s a fu r n itu r e c ity , but that fa m e c a m e to r e s t m o r e on q u a lity th an on q u a n tity . N o g ia n t in d u stry e v e r d e v e lo p e d in G rand R a p id s; n o r w e r e th e r e e v e r m en of g r e a t w e a lth and p h ila n th r o p y . P e r h a p s th en i t s d e s t in y la y in *Z . Z . L y d e n s, E d it o r . T h e S to ry o f G rand R a p id s (G rand R apids: K r e g e l P u b lic a tio n s , 1 9 6 6 ), p. 44 the q u a lity o f th o s e w ho f i r s t s e t t le d h e r e a s d e s c r ib e d in the fo llo w in g : The p io n e e r s q u ic k ly d is c o v e r e d th a t the s o i l o f the r e g io n w a s f e r t ile and a c o u n tr y s id e g r e w up th a t n e e d e d a c e n te r to s e r v e it . . . . G rand R a p id s r e m a in e d a c ity in w h ic h m o s t f a m il ie s had th e ir own v in e and fig t r e e . It a lw a y s k ep t a tid y m u n ic ip a l h o u s e . It w a s m a d e up o f p e o p le w h o w en t to ch u rch on Sunday in la r g e c o n g r e g a tio n s and to the p o lls in f a ir n u m b e r s on e le c t io n d a y . C u ltu r e c a m e w ith p io n e e r la d ie s and w a s n u r ­ tu red down th e y e a r s . T he c a s e fo r the c i t y ' s c u ltu r e co u ld be e s ta b lis h e d by i t s o ld e r r e s id e n t ia l a r c h it e c t u r e a lo n e . T he c i t y ' s s c h o o ls w e r e i t s p r id e . A s w ith o th e r c i t i e s , i t s c o r e r o tte d , and b u ilt a n ew c o r e . W h e r e a r e a s b e c a m e d e c r e p it , e f f o r t s w e r e m a d e a t r e s t o r a t io n . In a ll th e w a y s th a t cou n t, G rand R a p id s e a r n e d the tr ib u te of A ll- A m e r ic a C ity in 1949 and a g a in in 1 9 6 0 . T he 1949 a w a rd w a s th e f i r s t of i t s k in d in the n a tio n . ^ A ls o o f i n t e r e s t and s ig n if ic a n c e to th is stu d y i s a b r ie f d e s c r ip tio n o f th e e th n ic and r e lig io u s g r o u p s o f w h ich G rand R a p id s is com p o sed . L ik e m o s t c i t i e s o f A m e r ic a it m a y b e sa id th at Grand R a p id s r e p r e s e n t s the p r o v e r b ia l m e ltin g pot in to w h ic h m a n y c u ltu r e s a r e a s s i m il a t e d . T h e c ity h a s i t s s h a r e o f p e r s o n s of G erm a n , E n g lis h , D u tch , P o lis h , L ith u a n ia n , F in n is h , I r is h , and Ita lia n d e s c e n t; and m o r e r e c e n t ly th o s e fro m L a tv ia and H u n gary have b e c o m e r e s id e n t s o f the c ity . O f p a r t ic u la r s ig n if ic a n c e i s the s e ttlin g in W e s te r n M ic h ig a n by p e r s o n s o f D u tch and P o lis h d e s c e n t. W h ether by a c c id e n t o r in te n t th e D u tch s e t t le d in c l u s t e r s and to a la r g e d e g r e e h a v e r e ta in e d a c la n n ish id e n tific a tio n , lo c a tin g 2 I b i d . , p. 7 . 45 g e o g r a p h ic a lly in th e e a s t c e n tr a l s e c t io n o f the c ity and r e ta in in g th e ir D utch id e n tity through th e ir ch u rch a f filia tio n s (th e R e fo rm ed and C h r istia n R e fo rm ed C h u r c h e s), th e ir p a r e n ta l-o p e r a te d s c h o o ls (C h ristia n R e fo r m e d ), and th e ir e a s i l y id e n tifia b le n a m e s . I ll u s t r a ­ tive of th is i s the fa c t that th e G rand R a p id s te le p h o n e d ir e c t o r y of 1966 c a r r ie d n e a r ly 4, 000 n a m e s b eg in n in g w ith the p r e fix Van, V ande, o r V anden. L y d en s n o te s the D utch in flu e n c e in th is m an n er: T he profound in flu e n c e of the H o lla n d e r s on G rand R a p id s r e lig io u s ly , p o lit ic a lly , e c o n o m ic a lly , s o c ia lly , and c u ltu r a lly i s c o n fir m e d by the c it y 1 s h is t o r y . The b len d in g i t s e l f m a y h a v e b een co n trib u ted to the c h a r a c te r o f the c ity . P e o p le of D utch b lood w e r e e s tim a te d in 1966 to a c c o u n t fo r 30% of the city* s p o p u la tio n . u In a s s e s s in g the e c o n o m ic im p a c t o f th e D u tch upon the c ity , L yd en s fu rth er s ta te s : S u c c e s s in b u s in e s s and a c c u m u la tio n o f w e a lth n e v e r w e r e o ffe n s iv e to C a lv in is m , the p r e d o m in a n t fa ith o f t h e s e p e o p le , and to jud ge by the b u s in e s s s ig n s , m an y a r e a s in the c ity w ould o r ie n t w e ll to the N e th e r la n d s i t s e l f . . . . C a lv in is tic e n c o u r a g e m e n t o f s c h o o lin g s o o n b lo s s o m e d in p r o f e s s io n a l s h in g le s b e a r in g the D utch n a m e s . 4 M ost of the D utch w ho m ig r a te d to th e a r e a in the 1 8 4 0 's and 1 8 5 0 's w er e poor; but b e c a u s e o f the ab un dan ce o f w ork found in the G rand R apids a r e a , m a n y s e tt le d th e r e to fa r m , w ork in the g ro w in g fu rn itu re in d u str y , and r e a r th e ir f a m il ie s . ^Ibid. , p. 5 4 1 . 4 I b i d . , p. 5 4 6 . The o th e r eth n ic grou p 46 w h ich h a s had a m a jo r e f f e c t on th e g ro w th and m a tu r ity o f th e c ity i s the P o lis h . A r r iv in g c o n s id e r a b ly la t e r (th e f i r s t la r g e g r o u p s a r r iv e d in th e 1 8 8 0 ' s and 1890* s) than th e D u tch and fin d in g a la n ­ g u age b a r r ie r b e tw e e n th em and th e o th e r e th n ic s e t t l e r s , th e P o lis h too e s t a b lis h e d t h e ir ow n p a r is h e s and s o c i e t i e s w h ich s e r v e d to f u lfill both r e lig io u s and s o c i a l n e e d s w ith o u t a g r e a t d e a l o f i n t e r ­ m in g lin g w ith p e r s o n s o f o th e r c u ltu r a l o r ig in s . O ne o f th e a r e a s that th ey s e t t le d w a s the W e s t Side (the a r e a o f the c ity w e s t o f the Grand R iv e r ). T o th is d a te p e r s o n s of P o lis h d e s c e n t co n tin u e to be id e n tifie d w ith th is g e o g r a p h ic a l s e c t io n of th e c ity . T h ey b egan o p era tin g s m a ll s h o p s , in c lu d in g t o o l and d ie m a k in g , h o u se b u ild in g , tru ck in g , p la tin g , and h an d m a d e r u g s . U n lik e th e D utch of an e a r l i e r e r a , the P o lis h w e r e h a n d ica p p ed b y the la c k o f k n o w le d g e o f the E n g lish la n g u a g e , in v e s t m e n t c a p ita l, f a m ilia r it y w ith A m e r ic a n b u s in e s s p r a c t ic e s , and g e n e r a l b u s in e s s e x p e r ie n c e . H ow ever, it should be n o ted , a s L y d en s s t a t e s , "the P o lis h w e r e s e ld o m a r e a l public c h a r g e , a lw a y s sta n d in g a m o n g the lo w e s t r e c ip ie n t s o f p u b lic aid . P o lis h f a m il ie s h e r e a l s o rank high a s h o m e o w n e r s . " 5 An o v e r v ie w o f the e th n ic and r a c ia l c o m p o s itio n o f G rand R apids w ou ld not b e c o m p le te w ith o u t s o m e m e n tio n o f the N e g r o . 5Ib id . , p. 5 4 6 . 47 T he N e g r o f i r s t c a m e to the G rand R a p id s a r e a in 1840 w h en tw o m e n bought fr e e d o m fro m th e ir m a s t e r s b e c a u s e th e y b e lie v e d th at th e ir s ta tu s a s f r e e m e n sh o u ld b e r e c o g n iz e d . H o w e v e r , lik e m o s t n o rth e rn a r e a s , t h e r e w a s n o a p p r e c ia b le a c c e le r a t io n o f the N e g r o p op u lation u n til a f te r W orld W ar II. I llu s t r a t iv e of t h is i s the f a c t that in 1940 th e r e w e r e ab ou t 2 , 700; to d a y th e r e i s an e s tim a t e d 22, 0 00, o r a b o u t 11 p e r c e n t o f th e to ta l p o p u la tio n . The liv in g a r e a of the N e g r o r e f l e c t s a h ig h ly s e g r e g a t e d h o u sin g p a tte r n lo c a te d w ith in th e c o r e c ity on the n e a r so u th and e a s t s id e s . G rand R a p id s in 1969 h a s lit t le r e s e m b la n c e to th a t s m a ll v illa g e that w a s in c o r p o r a te d by L o u is C am p au on h is a r r iv a l to the a r e a in 1826. The e s tim a t e d p o p u la tio n i s p r e s e n t ly 2 1 0 , 0 0 0 , and Grand R a p id s v i e s w ith F lin t a t r e ta in in g the rank o f the s t a t e ' s seco n d la r g e s t c ity . B e c a u s e o f i t s lo c a tio n on the w e s t e r n s id e o f the L o w e r P e n in s u la a p p r o x im a te ly th ir ty m i l e s in la n d fr o m L ak e M ich igan and a b o u t on e hun dred m i l e s n o r th o f the M ic h ig a n -In d ia n a b o r d e r , G rand R a p id s i s c o n s id e r e d by s o m e to be th e c e n te r o f b u s in e s s and c o m m e r c e fo r W e s te r n M ic h ig a n . T he c ity now c o v e r s an a r e a of f o r t y - f iv e s q u a r e m i l e s and c o n ta in s s e v e n t y - f i v e p a r k s lo c a te d on m o r e than 1, 600 a c r e s o f la n d . T he r e a l e s t a t e v a lu a tio n b a sed u pon the S ta te E q u a liz e d i s 687 m illio n d o lla r s . The C o m m is s io n -M a n a g e r typ e o f g o v e r n m e n t i s the p lan em p lo y ed in G rand R a p id s and h a s b e e n s in c e i t s c o n v e r s io n fr o m a 48 v illa g e to a c ity s t a tu s in 1 9 1 6 . T h is p la n o f g o v e r n m e n t p r o v id e s fo r a s m a ll, p a r t - t im e , e le c t e d g o v e r n in g b od y (a m a y o r and s ix c o m m is s io n e r s ) to m a k e the p o lic y d e c i s i o n s . T he c o m m is s io n e r s appoint a f u ll - t im e C ity M a n a g er w ho i s th e a d m in is t r a t iv e h ead of the c ity g o v e r n m e n t. a p p r o x im a te ly 1, 7 0 0 . T he n u m b e r o f m u n ic ip a l e m p lo y e e s i s O f i n t e r e s t to t h is stu d y i s the f a c t th a t th e C ity C o m m is s io n r e p r e s e n t s a c o m p le t e ly s e p a r a te g o v e r n m e n ta l e n tity and h a s no o f f ic ia l r e s p o n s ib ilit y fo r th e o p e r a tio n o f th e p u b lic sch o o l s y s te m . T he c o m m is s io n * s ta x in g p o w e r s and the u s e s o f the m o n ie s w h ic h it c o l l e c t s a r e u s e d o n ly fo r m u n ic ip a l s e r v i c e s w h ich do n ot in c lu d e th e o p e r a tio n o f p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l S y ste m B y l e g i s l a t i v e e n a c tm e n t the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l S y stem i s a s c h o o l d is t r ic t o f the S econ d C la s s . S c h o o l d is t r ic t s a re c l a s s if ie d on the b a s is o f t h e ir p o p u la tio n s by the S ta te S c h o o l C ode. W h ile s o m e v a r ia n c e s a r e found in the o p e r a tio n o f d i s t r i c t s of d iffe r e n t c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , su c h a s e le c t io n p r o c e d u r e s , bonding a u th o rity , s i z e o f the e le c t e d B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n , r e im b u r s e m e n t for tr a n sp o r ta tio n p u r p o s e s and a n n e x a tio n p r o c e d u r e s , t h e s e d i f ­ f e r e n c e s a r e u n r e la te d to the p u r p o se o f th is stu d y and th u s w ill n o t be a s s e s s e d fu r th e r . 49 T he G rand R a p id s S c h o o l d i s t r i c t i s p a r t o f th e K en t In te r m e d ia te d is t r ic t and i s th e l a r g e s t o f the n in e te e n d i s t r i c t s o f w hich the I n te r m e d ia te d i s t r i c t i s c o m p o s e d . T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls o p e r a te a c o m p r e h e n s iv e e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m - p r e -k in d e r g a r te n th ro u g h th e C o m m u n ity J u n io r C o lle g e . T he s y s te m i s o p e r a te d b y a B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n o f n in e m e m b e r s , e le c te d a t la r g e by q u a lifie d e l e c t o r s th r o u g h o u t the c o m m u n ity . M e m b e r s s e r v e fo r t e r m s o f th r e e y e a r s . T h e e le c t io n t e r m s a r e s ta g g e r e d s o th a t n o t m o r e than th e te r m o f th r e e m e m b e r s e x p ir e s in any on e y e a r . M e m b e r s m a y b e r e - e l e c t e d fo r a s m a n y t e r m s a s th ey and th e e le c t o r a t e m a y d e s ir e . T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls p r e s e n t ly h o u s e ab ou t 39, 000 fu ll-tim e s tu d e n ts . A p p r o x im a te ly 34, 5 00 o f t h e s e a r e in the k in d e r g a r te n th ro u g h tw e lfth g r a d e d iv is io n , in c lu d in g S p e c ia l E d u ­ cation . A lm o s t 4, 500 f u ll - t im e stu d e n ts a tte n d the G rand R a p id s Ju nior C o lle g e . T he s c h o o l s y s t e m h a s o p e r a tin g u n its c o n s is t in g of 53 e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls (K -6 ), 11 s e c o n d a r y u n its ( 7 - 1 2 ) , and Ju n ior C o lle g e (th r e e f a c i l i t i e s ) , a S c h o o l fo r th e D e a f, an O r th o ­ p ed ic S ch o o l, and a S c h o o l fo r the M e n ta lly H a n d ica p p e d . T h ese s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n u n its s e r v e q u a lifie d s tu d e n ts th ro u g h o u t th e county. The s p e c ia l u n its h a v e a l l b e e n b u ilt in co n ju n ctio n w ith a re g u la r o p e r a tin g e le m e n t a r y s c h o o l to a c h ie v e m e a n in g fu l i n t e g r a ­ tion w ith n o r m a l b o y s and g i r l s o f th e s a m e a g e and g r a d e le v e l. 50 T he 3 4 , 500 s tu d e n ts in the K -1 2 p r o g r a m o f the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls r e p r e s e n t a p p r o x im a te ly t w o - t h ir d s o f the e n tir e s c h o o l- a g e p o p u la tio n (5 -1 9 ) o f the C ity o f G ran d R a p id s. The r e m a in in g o n e - th ir d o f th e r e s id e n t s tu d e n ts a tte n d n o n -p u b lic s c h o o ls . To a la r g e e x te n t th e n o n -p u b lic s c h o o l e n r o llm e n t i s d ivid ed b e tw e e n th o s e s c h o o ls o p e r a te d by th e C a th o lic D io c e s e and th o se o p e r a te d b y the p a r e n t o r g a n iz a tio n s o f the C h r is tia n R e fo r m e d fa ith . In a d d itio n th e r e a r e th r e e L u th e ra n e le m e n t a r y s c h o o ls and on e s m a ll e le m e n ta r y s c h o o l o p e r a te d by th e S ev en th D a y A d v e n tis t C hurch in c lu d e d in th e n o n -p u b lic s c h o o l e n r o llm e n t . In a d d itio n to th e s e e le m e n ta r y and s e c o n d a r y n o n -p u b lic s c h o o ls , tw o c h u r c h r e la te d c o l l e g e s a r e a l s o lo c a te d w ith in the s c h o o l d i s t r i c t b o u n d a r ie s . C alvin C o lle g e i s su p p o r te d by the C h r is tia n R e fo r m e d C h u rch and A q u in as C o lle g e i s a f filia te d w ith th e C a th o lic C h u rch . B oth a r e fo u r -y e a r lib e r a l a r t s t e a c h e r - t r a in in g in s t itu t io n s r e c o g n iz e d by the M ich ig a n D e p a r tm e n t o f E d u c a tio n . A p r iv a te b u s in e s s c o lle g e (D a v en p o rt C o lle g e ) and G rand V a lle y S ta te C o lle g e , lo c a te d ju s t w e s t of G rand R a p id s, s u p p le m e n t th e h ig h e r e d u c a tio n a l f a c ili t i e s in the G rand R a p id s a r e a . T he G rand R a p id s B o a r d o f E d u c a tio n i s o n e of the la r g e s t e m p lo y e r s in th e cou n ty o f K en t. a r e p a y r o lle d c u r r e n tly . A b ou t 2 , 7 0 0 f u ll- t im e p e r s o n n e l A p p r o x im a te ly 1, 950 o f t h e s e a r e 51 p r o f e s s io n a l c e r t if ic a t e d e m p lo y e e s and th e r e m a in in g 750 a r e s e r v in g in n o n -te a c h in g a s s ig n m e n t s su ch a s s e c r e t a r i a l , m a in te n a n c e , c u sto d ia l, c a f e t e r ia , and t e a c h e r a id e . T he a p p ro v ed o p e r a tin g b u d g et fo r the s c h o o l s y s t e m ( e x c l u ­ s iv e o f b u ild in g and s i t e s and c a p ita l o u tla y fu n d s) fo r the f i s c a l y e a r 1 9 6 9 -7 0 i s a p p r o x im a te ly $ 2 7 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 . A b rea k d o w n o f th e s o u r c e s of re v en u e fo r t h is y e a r in d ic a t e s th a t 52 p e r c e n t w i l l be r e c e iv e d from lo c a l s o u r c e s , 42 p e r c e n t fr o m the s t a t e , 4 p e r c e n t fr o m th e F e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t, and the r e m a in in g 2 p e r c e n t fr o m g if t s and tuition . T he s in g le s o u r c e o f lo c a l r e v e n u e fo r o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s i s the p r o p e r ty ta x le v y of 2 0 . 1 m i l l s on th e s t a te e q u a liz e d v a lu e of the s c h o o l d i s t r i c t ($ 6 8 7 , 7 9 6 , 7 7 8 ). O f t h is to ta l, 10. 1 m i l l s i s a llo c a te d by the K en t C oun ty A llo c a tio n B o a rd and 10 m i l l s h a v e been v o ted by th e p e o p le th rou gh s p e c ia l o p e r a tin g m illa g e e l e c t io n s . P r e s e n tly n on e o f the lo c a l o p e r a tin g m illa g e fu n d s a r e u s e d to o p e r ­ ate the G rand R a p id s J u n io r C o lle g e . A ll o p e r a tin g fun ds fo r th e c o lle g e a r e a p p r o p r ia te d th rou gh th e S ta te L e g is la t u r e o r th ro u gh stud en t tu itio n c h a r g e s . T he s t a te r e v e n u e fo r the K -1 2 p r o g r a m i s m o s t ly d e r iv e d through the S ta te A id A c t fo r m u la w h ic h p r o v id e s the G rand R a p id s S ch ool D is t r ic t an a llo tm e n t o f $ 2 1 1 . 29 p e r p u p il e n r o lle d in the K -1 2 52 p ro g ra m a s o f the fo u rth F r id a y o f the s c h o o l y e a r . U n lik e s o m e o th er M ic h ig a n s c h o o l d is t r ic ts .. G rand R a p id s h a s no lo n g h is t o r y of v o tin g a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r o p e r a tio n p u r p o s e s . T he p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s h a v e h is t o r ic a lly o p e r a te d on a low p e r cap ita e x p e n d itu r e . U n til r e c e n t ly , e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s w e r e n o t co m p a r a b le to o th e r s im ila r d is t r ic t s ; and it w a s n ot u n til A p r il, 1964, th at i t b e c a m e n e c e s s a r y to r e q u e s t the e le c t o r a t e to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s . F ig u r e 3 -1 s h o w s th e ou tcom e o f th at e le c t io n and o th e r e le c t io n s h eld s in c e th a t t im e . T h e v o te on N o v e m b e r 16, 1965, w a s a c o u n ty -w id e v o te to r a is e the 1 5 - m i l l lim it a tio n to 18 m i l l s , a s c u r r e n tly a u th o r iz e d by the new M ich ig a n C o n s titu tio n (ad op ted in 1 9 6 4 ). The p a s s a g e of su ch a p r o p o s a l w o u ld h a v e " lo ck ed " th e a llo c a tio n fo r e a c h u n it of g o v er n m en t sh a r in g in the a llo c a tio n o f fun ds (co u n ty g o v e r n m e n t, sc h o o l d is t r ic t , and to w n sh ip g o v e r n m e n t s ). Had th is p r o p o s a l b een ap p roved , e a c h s c h o o l d is t r ic t w ou ld h a v e a n n u a lly r e c e iv e d 12. 33 m ills of th e 18, and t h is w o u ld h a v e e lim in a te d the n eed fo r the annual fu n d s h a s s l e by the C ou n ty A llo c a tio n B o a r d . The p ro p o sa l w as r e je c te d c o u n ty -w id e a s w e ll a s in the C ity o f G rand R a p id s. T o the b e s t o f the w r ite r * s k n o w le d g e , no stu d y o r a n a ly s is of th e se e le c t io n s h a s b e e n m a d e . It sh o u ld b e n o ted th a t o f th e s ix e le c tio n s , th r e e h a v e p a s s e d and th r e e h a v e fa ile d . It i s a ls o o f Date of E lection Amount Requested April 6, 1964 4 m ills for 3 years Sept. 1, 1964 3 m ills for 2 year s Beginning Expiration R esu lts Rejected Y e s —18, 137 No - - 2 5 ,2 4 7 July, 1964 June, 1966 Nov. 16, 1965 Passed Y e s --2 7 , 705 No - - 2 1 ,0 1 1 Rejected Y e s - - 5,4 67 No - - 1 9 ,4 9 9 April 4, 1966 3 m ills for 5 year s June 5, 1967 5 m ills for 3 years Nov. 21, 1967 7 m ills for 2 y ea r s July, 1966 June, 1971 P a sse d Y es-1 2 ,8 2 6 No - - 1 1 ,6 7 2 Rejected Y e s - - 9,902 No —12,858 July, 1968 June, 1970 FIGURE 3-1 Summary of Operational Millage Elections in the Grand Rapids Public School D istrict Passed Y e s - 2 2 , 161 No - - 2 2 ,0 9 8 54 s ig n if ic a n c e th a t the l a s t m illa g e e le c t io n (N o v e m b e r , 1967) p a s s e d by o n ly 63 v o t e s ou t o f a to ta l o f m o r e than 4 4 , 000 v o t e s c a s t . m illa g e (7 m i l l s ) e x p ir e s in J u n e , 1970. in J u ly , 1 9 6 6 , e x p ir e s in J u n e , 1 9 7 1 . T h is A n o th e r th r e e m i l l s v o te d The c l o s e n e s s o f th is la t e s t e le c tio n c o u p led w ith th e e x p ir a tio n w ith in tw o y e a r s o f 10 m i l l s fo r s c h o o l o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s i l l u s t r a t e s th e im m e d ia te and s e r io u s need fo r a c o m m u n ity a p p r a is a l o f the v o tin g h a b its o f v o t e r s in th e Grand R a p id s S c h o o l D is t r ic t . T he P o p u la tio n and S a m p le S e le c t io n T he p o p u la tio n fo r th is stu d y a r e the h e a d s o f h o u s e h o ld s of the r e s id e n c e s o f the G ran d R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l D is t r ic t . As d efin ed p r e v io u s ly in C h a p ter I, a r e s id e n c e i s a h o u se h o ld in w h ich at le a s t one p e r s o n l i v e s , and w h o, a s d e fin e d by th e In te r n a l R ev e n u e S e r v ic e , i s a h ea d o f a h o u s e h o ld . T o a c c o m p lis h th e p u r p o s e s o f th is stud y the r e s id e n c e s o f the d i s t r i c t w e r e c a t e g o r iz e d in to fiv e grou p s c a lle d v o tin g p u b lic s . T h e s e p u b lic s a r e the fo llo w in g : p u b lic sc h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , p r e - s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s , and n o n - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s . E ach of t h e s e p u b lic s w a s a ls o d efin e d in C h a p ter I. The r a tio n a le u sed fo r s e le c t in g t h e s e f iv e p u b lic s w a s the fo llo w in g : F i r s t , in to ta l t h e s e p u b lic s r e p r e s e n t n e a r ly a ll o f th e r e s id e n c e s and v o t e r s 55 of the s c h o o l d is t r ic t ; s e c o n d ly , t h o s e r e s id e n c e s a r e r e p r e s e n t e d who a r e c l o s e l y id e n tifie d w ith o u r p u b lic s c h o o ls {p u b lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s ) ; th ir d ly , the m a jo r e th n ic g r o u p s w ith in the d is t r ic t w ho m a in ta in s e p a r a te e le m e n ta r y and s e c o n d a r y s c h o o ls (C h r is tia n and C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s ) a r e r e c o g n iz e d ; fo u r th ly , s e g m e n t s o f v o tin g -a g e p e r s o n s r e s id in g in the d i s t r i c t w ho p r e s e n t ly h a v e no o f f ic ia l s c h o o l id e n tific a tio n ( p r e - s c h o o l and n o n - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s ) a r e in c lu d e d . L a s tly , the c e n s u s d ata o f the G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D is t r ic t can q u ic k ly id e n tify a t a n y fu tu r e tim e w ith in any g e o g r a p h i c a l a r e a o f the d i s t r i c t th e n u m b e r and lo c a tio n of r e s id e n c e s w ith in th e se fiv e p u b lic s fo r co n tin u in g c o n ta c t and c o m m u n ic a tio n p u r p o s e s by s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l. The n u m b er o f r e s id e n c e s in the s c h o o l d i s t r i c t i s d e t e r ­ m ined a n n u a lly by th e takin g o f the s c h o o l c e n s u s . D a ta fo r th is study w as o b ta in ed fr o m the s c h o o l c e n s u s m a d e in M ay, 1S68, by the P u p il P e r s o n n e l D iv is io n o f the s c h o o l d is t r ic t . A c e n s u s ca rd (s e e A p p en d ix A) i s m a in ta in e d fo r e a c h r e s id e n c e . In fo r m a tio n con tain ed on t h is ca rd in c lu d e s the n a m e and a d d r e s s o f th e h ead o f the h o u se h o ld , the n u m b e r and a g e s o f th e c h ild r e n liv in g in th e r e s id e n c e , and the s c h o o ls , p u b lic o r n o n -p u b lic , th a t th e y a tten d . R e s id e n c e s h a v in g p r e - s c h o o l c h ild r e n o r no c h ild r e n a r e a ls o id en tifie d by th is c e n s u s d ata c a r d . 56 T he d ata p r o c e s s in g c e n t e r o f th e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t d iv id ed the c e n s u s c a r d s in to the f iv e s t r a t a o r v o tin g p u b lic s . T he r e s i ­ d en tia l c o m p o s itio n o f th e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t by v o tin g p u b lic i s found in F ig u r e 3 - 2 . N um ber of R e s id e n c e s P u b lic S c h o o l R e s id e n c e s 1 3 ,3 8 1 % of T o ta l* N um b er of R e s p o n d e n ts 32% 578 C h r istia n S c h o o l R e s id e n c e s 2 , 695 7 142 C ath olic S c h o o l R e s id e n c e s 4 , 371 11 231 P r e -S c h o o l R e s id e n c e s 4, 606 11 242 N o n -S ch o o l R e s id e n c e s 1 5 ,7 1 2 39 662 4 0 ,7 6 5 100% TOTAL 1, 855 * T h e se f ig u r e s a r e rou n d ed to the n e a r e s t w h o le p e r c e n t. FIG U R E 3 -2 N u m b er o f R e s id e n c e s w ith in the G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D is t r ic t and N u m b er o f R e sp o n d e n ts S e le c te d The b reak d ow n o f t h is d ata by c e n s u s t r a c t i s found in A p p en d ix B. The s i z e o f th e s a m p le s e le c t e d w a s 1, 8 5 5 . T h is r e p r e s e n t s a p p r o x im a te ly 5 p e r c e n t o f th e to ta l n u m b e r o f r e s id e n c e s in th e com m u n ity . It m a y b e o b s e r v e d th a t a p p r o x im a te ly o n e -th ir d (a ctu a lly 32 p e r c e n t) o f the r e s id e n c e s in the c o m m u n ity h a v e ch ild ren w ho a tten d th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . A s t r a t if ie d s a m p le o f e a c h 57 v o tin g p u b lic w a s ta k en . A s k ip in t e r v a l w a s u s e d w h ic h a s s u r e d the s e le c t io n o f th e n u m b e r o f r e s p o n d e n ts id e n tifie d in F ig u r e 3 - 2 . A c c o r d in g to s u r v e y r e s e a r c h a u th o r it ie s B la c k s tr o m and H u rsh , th is s i z e s a m p le p r o v id e s a d eq u a te p r e c is io n to m a k e in f e r e n c e s , ju d g m e n ts, and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s fr o m the s u r v e y r e s u l t s . T he sa m p le a s s u m e s a to le r a te d e r r o r o f n o t m o r e than 7 p e r c e n t and e s t a b lis h e s a c o n fid e n c e lim it o f 95 p e r c e n t. T h is stu d y i s c o n c e r n e d w ith g e n e r a l a ttitu d e s and in f o r m a ­ tion that e a c h v o tin g p u b lic p o s s e s s e s a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . It i s not c o n c e r n e d w ith th e s o lu tio n o f s p e c if i c p r o b le m s su c h a s p r e d ic tin g th e o u tc o m e o f a c l o s e m illa g e e le c t io n . T h e r e f o r e , the p r e c is io n p r o v id e d w ith in t h e s e lim it s i s s u f f ic ie n t to a c c o m p lis h the o b je c tiv e s o f the stu d y . In o r d e r to c o m p e n s a te fo r p e r s o n s to w h om q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e s e n t but w e r e not r e c e iv e d , the s&xnple s i z e o f each p u b lic e x c e e d s the m in im u m l im it s n e e d e d to o b ta in the d e s ir e d p r e c is io n . R e sp o n d e n ts in c lu d e d in th is c a t e g o r y w e r e th o s e w ho had m o v e d s in c e M ay, 19 6 8 , th o s e w h o w e r e d e c e a s e d , and th o s e w ho w e r e out of the c ity fo r a p r o lo n g e d p e r io d a t th e tim e o f the q u e s tio n n a ir e m a ilin g . F r o m th e s e le c t e d p r in t-o u t c a r d s , a m a s t e r l i s t of r e sp o n d e n ts w a s p r in te d , in c lu d in g th e n a m e and a d d r e s s o f th e head of the h o u s e h o ld . E n v e lo p e s w e r e then p r e p a r e d fo r a d ir e c t 58 m a ilin g by U n ited S ta te s M a il to a l l n a m e s and a d d r e s s e s a p p e a r in g on th is lis t . It i s a ck n o w led g ed th a t th e r e a r e a s m a ll n u m b er o f r e s i ­ d en ces not in clu d ed in the v o tin g p u b lic s id e n tifie d in th is stu d y. T h ese in clu d e r e s id e n c e s in w h ich c h ild r e n r e s id e w ho a tten d p r i ­ vate or p a r o c h ia l s c h o o ls o f the L u th era n and S even th D ay A d v e n tist fa ith s. T o ta lly th ey r e p r e s e n t ab ou t o n e - h a lf p e r c e n t (210 r e s i ­ d e n ces) of the to ta l c ity r e s id e n c e s . B e c a u s e t h e s e s c h o o ls h o u se only g r a d e s 1 - 6 , c h ild r e n p r o m o te d fr o m th em u s u a lly atten d p u b lic sc h o o ls b eg in n in g a t th e 7th g r a d e le v e l. F o r th is r e a s o n , and b eca u se th ey r e p r e s e n t s o few r e s id e n c e s in th e to ta l c ity , th e y a r e included in the p u b lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e c a te g o r y . In str u m e n ta tio n - D e v e lo p m e n t o f the Q u e s tio n n a ir e A q u e s tio n n a ir e w a s d e s ig n e d c o n s is tin g o f s ix p a r ts ( s e e A ppendix C). T he w r i t e r ' s p u r p o se in d e s ig n in g t h is in s tr u m e n t w as to a n sw e r th e fo llo w in g q u e s tio n s a s a c c u r a te ly a s p o s s ib le : W hat a r e the -resp o n d e n ts' f e e lin g s tow ard the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls ? How e x t e n s iv e ly do the r e sp o n d e n ts p a r tic ip a te in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? W hat a r e the c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia u s e d by the r e sp o n d e n ts in le a r n in g ab ou t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls ? 59 W hat a r e the r e s p o n d e n ts ' lik e lih o o d o f su p p o r t fo r co n tin u a tio n a n d /o r e x t e n s io n o f lo c a l s c h o o l o p e r a tin g m illa g e s ? W ith in e a c h v o tin g p u b lic , w h ich p e o p le ten d to be m o s t s u p p o r tiv e o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? How e x t e n s iv e i s th e k n o w le d g e p o s s e s s e d by th e r e s p o n ­ d e n ts a b o u t th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls ? S e v e r a l o p e n -e n d e d q u e s tio n s w e r e in c lu d e d w h ic h p r o v id e d r e s p o n ­ d en ts the o p p o r tu n ity to s t a te th e ir f e e lin g s a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls in a r e a s n o t c o v e r e d b y o th e r q u e s tio n s in th e q u e s tio n n a ir e . T h ese q u e stio n s a r e th e fo llo w in g : P l e a s e fin is h the fo llo w in g s t a t e m e n t s in any w a y you w ish : a. The G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls a r e b. I w o u ld lik e the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls to H a v e yo u h e a r d an yth in g bad a b o u t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la tely? (The YES and NO parts a re co d ed .) If Y ES, w h a t? _________________________________________________ . H ave yo u h e a r d a n y th in g good ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly ? (T h e Y E S and NO p a r ts a r e c o d e d .) If Y E S, w h a t? _________________________________________________ . T h e q u e s tio n n a ir e a ls o o b ta in ed s e le c t e d d e m o g r a p h ic data about the r e s p o n d e n ts , in c lu d in g le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s, le v e l of s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , and ty p e o f w o rk p e r fo r m e d . The 60 q u e stio n n a ir e w a s f ie ld - t e s t e d by se n d in g i t out to a c r o s s - s e c t i o n of p e r s o n s in e a c h of the v o tin g p u b lic s . In a d d itio n , the a d v ic e and r e a ctio n o f a n u m b er of co m m u n ity and s c h o o l le a d e r s w e r e so u gh t. T h ese in clu d ed s c h o o l a d m in is tr a tiv e s t a f f m e m b e r s , e le c t e d m e m ­ b ers of the B oard o f E d u ca tio n , n ew s m e d ia p e r s o n n e l, a m a r k e tin g a n a ly st, U rb an L e a g u e o f f ic ia ls , and C o m m u n ity A c tio n P r o g r a m p e r so n n e l. The m a ile d q u e s tio n n a ir e r e p r e s e n t s a c o m p ila tio n and re fin e m e n t o f m a n y w o r th w h ile s u g g e s t io n s c o lle c te d th rou gh the field t e s t . The q u e s tio n n a ir e w a s c o lo r - c o d e d by v o tin g p u b lic fo r so rtin g p u r p o s e s upon re tu r n . T h ey w e r e a ls o c o m p u te r -c o d e d fo r e a se in tr a n sm ittin g d ata fr o m the q u e s tio n n a ir e to c o m p u te r c a r d s . The q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e d istr ib u te d by f i r s t c l a s s U n ited S ta te s M ail on Ja n u a ry 10, 1969. In clu d ed w ith the q u e s tio n n a ir e w a s a co v er le t t e r ( s e e A pp en d ix D) in d iv id u a lly sig n e d by the w r it e r , and a stam p ed , r e tu r n - a d d r e s s e d e n v e lo p e w h ich w a s cod ed to f a c ilita te a fo llo w -u p p r o c e d u r e . T he co d e c o n s is te d of a r o o m -n u m b e r d esig n a te in the u p p er le ft-h a n d c o r n e r of the e n v e lo p e . A s th is en velop e w a s r e tu r n e d , the c o r r e s p o n d in g n a m e and n u m b er on the m a ste r l i s t o f r e sp o n d e n ts w a s c r o s s e d o ff. A t th e end o f the p erio d that re sp o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to r e tu rn q u e s tio n n a ir e s , the n a m e s n o t c r o sse d o ff on the m a s t e r l i s t w e r e s e n t a fo llo w -u p le t t e r ( s e e 61 Appendix E ). No in d iv id u a l id e n tific a tio n w a s m ad e b etw e en a returned q u e s tio n n a ir e and the in d iv id u a l r e sp o n d en t. The c o v e r le tte r in d ic a te d that r e sp o n d e n ts d e s ir in g r e s u lt s of the stu d y sh ould notify the s u p e r in te n d e n t's o ffic e and a su m m a r y o f the fin d in g s of the study w ould be se n t. The c o v e r le t t e r su b m itted w ith the q u e stio n n a ir e and the follow -u p le t t e r to th o se w ho had not resp o n d ed by Ja n u a ry 21 w e r e signed by the w r it e r in h is c a p a c ity o f A s s is t a n t S u p erin ten d en t o f Schools in Grand R a p id s. Education s ta tio n e r y . The le tte r h e a d r e fle c t e d o f fic ia l B oard of It w a s a c o n sid e r e d ju d gm en t that the r e s p o n s e to the q u e stio n n a ir e w ould b e g r e a te r i f it w e r e sig n e d by a p e r s o n acting in an o f fic ia l ca p a c ity w ith the G rand R apids P u b lic S c h o o ls than if it w e r e sig n e d by the sa m e p e r s o n but in a r e s e a r c h ca p a city lacking o ffic ia l id e n tity w ith the s c h o o l s y s t e m . R etu rn ed q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e se n t d a ily to the co m p u ter cen ter for the keypunching o f in fo r m a tio n fr o m the o r ig in a l d o cu m en t to p rogram data c a r d s . The tr a n s fe r o f in fo r m a tio n by the o r ig in a l p ro g ra m m er w a s v e r ifie d and c r o s s - c h e c k e d p r io r to the fin a l record in g of data on the p r in t-o u t ca r d . U ltim a te ly , a ll p r e -c o d e d data obtained through the q u e stio n n a ir e w a s su m m a r iz e d on a s in g le p rin t-ou t s h e e t by v o tin g p u b lic . 62 M eth od o f R e p o r tin g and I n te r p r e tin g the D ata D a ta o b ta in ed fr o m th e q u e s tio n n a ir e a r e g ro u p ed a c c o r d in g to f r e q u e n c ie s , p e r c e n t a g e s and r e a c t io n s o f the r e s p o n d e n ts b y voting p u b lic . In m o s t c a s e s , th e d a ta a r e p r e s e n te d in ta b u la r fo r m . R e c o m m e n d a tio n s and c o n c lu s io n s a r e d ra w n fr o m th e in fo r m a tio n obtained fr o m th e q u e s tio n n a ir e and a p p lied to th e r e s e a r c h q u e s ­ tio n s around w h ic h the stu d y h a s b e e n d ir e c t e d . P a r t II of C h a p ter IV i s a s u m m a r y and p r e s e n ta t io n o f th e c o m p u te r iz e d d ata o b ta in ed fr o m the q u e s tio n n a ir e . B e c a u s e o f th e s u b j e c tiv e n e s s o f the r e s p o n s e s to the o p e n -e n d e d q u e s tio n s , a se p a r a te s e c t io n o f C h a p ter IV ( P a r t III) i s an a n a ly s is o f th is d a ta . The a n a ly s e s o f both the o b je c tiv e and s u b j e c tiv e d a ta w e r e u s e d to m ake the r e c o m m e n d a tio n s and c o n c lu s io n s in the fin a l ch a p te r (C hapter V ). Sum m ary T he p u r p o s e in th is c h a p te r w a s to d e fin e th e s e tt in g in w hich the stu d y took p la c e by p r o v id in g a b r ie f d e s c r ip tio n o f th e com m u n ity and the s c h o o l s y s t e m in w h ich the stu d y w a s co n d u c te d . A lso in clu d ed w a s a d e fin itio n o f th e p o p u la tio n fo r th e stu d y , the p r o c e s s fo r s e le c t in g th e r e s p o n d e n ts , the d e v e lo p m e n t and 63 d istr ib u tio n o f the in s tr u m e n t w h ich g a th e r e d both th e o b je c tiv e and s u b je c tiv e d a ta , and f in a lly , a b r ie f def p r e s e n te d in th e fo llo w in g tw o c h a p te r s . 2 r ip tio n o f how t h is data i s C H A P T E R IV P R E S E N T A T IO N A N D A N A L Y SIS O F TH E D A T A PART I M eth od o f P r e s e n t a t io n and A n a ly s is o f th e D ata T h e a n a ly s is o f th e d ata p r e s e n te d in t h is c h a p te r c e n t e r s around the s ix b a s ic r e s e a r c h q u e s t io n s id e n tifie d in C h a p ter I. The q u e s tio n s stu d ie d and a n a ly z e d a r e th e fo llo w in g : W hat a r e the f e e l in g s o f e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to w a rd the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? H ow m u c h d o e s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic p a r tic ip a te in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? W hat m e th o d s a r e u s e d b y e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to c o m m u n i­ c a te w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? W hat d e g r e e o f f in a n c ia l s u p p o r t can b e a n tic ip a te d fr o m e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? W ith in e a c h v o tin g p u b lic , w h ic h p e o p le ten d to be m o s t su p p o r tiv e o f th e p u b lic s c h o o ls ? How k n o w le d g e a b le a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls i s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? 64 65 P r io r to the r e p o r tin g o f the d ata r e la tin g to t h e s e q u e s tio n s , a d e s c r ip tio n o f the r e s p o n d e n ts w ho r e p lie d to th e q u e s tio n n a ir e i s in clu d ed . T h is d e s c r ip tio n in c lu d e s the n u m b e r and p e r c e n t a g e s o f r e sp o n d e n ts w h o r e tu r n e d c o m p le te d q u e s tio n n a ir e s a s w e l l a s the d em o g r a p h ic in fo r m a tio n so u g h t fr o m the r e s p o n d e n ts . T he fin d in g s fo r e a c h o f the r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s a r e p r e ­ se n ted s e p a r a t e ly . T he d is c u s s io n o f e a c h q u e s tio n c o n c lu d e s w ith a sh o r t su m m a r y s ta te m e n t o f th e fin d in g s . In g e n e r a l, th e fin d in g s a r e p r e s e n te d in ta b u la r fo r m sh o w in g the fr e q u e n c y and p e r c e n ta g e of r e sp o n d e n ts r e p ly in g in a s im ila r m a n n e r to e a c h q u e s tio n b ein g assessed . ta tio n s. T h e n e a r e s t w h o le p e r c e n t i s u s e d in a l l ta b u la r p r e s e n ­ T he v o tin g p u b lic (d e fin ed in C h a p ter I) o f th e r e s p o n d e n t i s the c o n sta n t v a r ia b le . H o w e v e r , in r e p o r tin g r e s p o n s e s to c e r t a in s e le c te d q u e s tio n s , the d e m o g r a p h ic v a r ia b le s o f le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in Grand R a p id s, l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , ty p e o f w o rk p e r ­ fo rm ed , and w h e th e r o r not the r e sp o n d e n t o w n s p r o p e r ty in G rand R apids a r e a s s e s s e d fo r t h e ir e f f e c t upon th e f e e lin g s , a ttitu d e s , and votin g h a b its o f th e r e s p o n d e n t s . Q u e s tio n n a ir e R e s p o n s e A t o ta l of 1, 855 q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e d is tr ib u te d . O f th is n um ber, 1, 181 w e r e c o m p le te d and r e tu r n e d and the d ata fr o m t h e s e 66 a re u sed in the p r e s e n ta tio n o f the fin d in g s . T h is fig u r e r e p r e s e n t s a 64% o v e r a ll r e tu r n o f the o r ig in a l m a ilin g and the r e tu r n i s illu s tr a te d fo r e a c h v o tin g p u b lic in F ig u r e 4 - 1 . P u b lic p o llin g a u th o r itie s c o n fir m e d th a t th is p e r c e n ta g e o f r e tu r n s r e f le c t s a valid r e s p o n s e to a m a ile d q u e s tio n n a ir e . N u m b er o f N u m b er of % of M a iled R etu rn ed R etu rn ed Q u e s tio n n a ir e s Q u e s tio n n a ir e s Q u e s tio n n a ir e s 72% P u b lic S ch o o l 578 416 C h ristia n S ch o o l 142 92 65 C ath olic S ch ool 231 144 62 P r e -S c h o o l 242 131 54 N on -S ch o o l 662 398 60 1, 855 1, 181 TO TA L 64% FIGURE 4 -1 N u m b ers and P e r c e n t a g e s of R e sp o n d e n ts R etu rn in g C o m p le te d Q u e s tio n n a ir e s A to ta l o f f if t y - t h r e e u n d e liv e r e d q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e returned to the s e n d e r . R e a s o n s fo r n o n - d e liv e r y in clu d ed " d e c e a se d ," "no fo rw a rd in g a d d r e s s ," and "w rong a d d r e s s ." figu re r e p r e s e n t s l e s s than 3% o f the m a ile d q u e s tio n n a ir e s . T h is In addition, e ig h t q u e s tio n n a ir e s w e r e re tu r n e d by r e sp o n d e n ts w ith only a s in g le co m m en t. T h e s e s ta te m e n ts w e r e su c h a s "A w a ste 67 of ta x p a y e r 1 s m o n e y , " "I h a v e no in t e r e s t in the o p e r a tio n o f y o u r s c h o o ls , " "Our fa m ily w a s aw a y fr o m G rand R a p id s m o s t o f la s t y e a r , " and "I now liv e o u tsid e of the c ity . " T h e s e e ig h t r e sp o n d e n ts a re not in clu d ed in the r e tu r n s r e p o r te d e a r lie r , n o r a r e the fifty th ree u n d e liv e r e d q u e s tio n n a ir e s . D e m o g r a p h ic C h a r a c t e r is t ic s of R e sp o n d e n ts D e m o g r a p h ic c h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f r e sp o n d e n ts in clu d ed in th is stud y a r e len g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s, the le v e l o f sch o o lin g c o m p le te d , the ty p e o f w ork p e r fo r m e d , and w h e th e r o r not the r e sp o n d e n t ow n s p r o p e r ty in G rand R a p id s. In T a b le 4 - 1 , rela tin g to the le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s, it i s show n that a la r g e m a jo r ity (86%) o f r e sp o n d e n ts h ave b een r e s id e n t s in G rand R apids m o r e than 10 y e a r s . T h is p e r c e n ta g e i s c o n s is te n t in a l l p u b lics w ith the e x c e p tio n of p r e - s c h o o l, w h e re 71% r e p o r t liv in g in Grand R ap id s m o r e than 10 y e a r s . It m a y be n oted a ls o that on ly 6% of th o se re sp o n d in g in a ll p u b lic s h a v e liv e d in G rand R a p id s l e s s than fiv e y e a r s . A n o th er c a te g o r y o f d e m o g r a p h ic in fo r m a tio n rep orted i s that r e fle c tin g th e le v e l of s c h o o lin g th at r e sp o n d e n ts com p leted . T h is in fo r m a tio n i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 2 . T he two voting p u b lic s th a t a tta in ed the h ig h e s t le v e l o f s c h o o lin g a r e p r e ­ sch o o l and C h r is tia n s c h o o l. I llu s tr a tin g th is fa c t i s th at 44% o f the TA BLE 4 -1 L ength o f R e s id e n c y of R e sp o n d e n ts in G rand R a p id s by V otin g P u b lic Public School C hristian School f % L e ss than 2 Y ears 11 3% 2 2% 2-5 Y ears 22 5 1 5-10 Y ears 40 10 M ore than 10 Y ears 330 TOTAL 403 f C atholic School f P reSchool % f % 0 0% 10 8% 1 0 0 9 7 8 5 4 82 82 89 135 100% 92 100% 140 % N onSchool f A ll R espondents % f % 5 1% 28 2% 7 18 5 50 4 19 14 4 1 75 7 96 93 71 352 93 992 87 100% 131 100% 379 100% 1, 145 100% T A B L E 4 -2 L e v e l o f S ch oolin g C o m p leted by R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic Public School f % C hristian School f % Grade 8 32 Grade 11 48 12 12 High School 150 38 Two Y ears of C ollege 62 Four Y ears of C ollege M ore than Four Y ears of C ollege TOTAL 3% f % P reSchool f % N onSchool A ll R espondents f % f % 5 4% 1 1% 78 21% 119 11% 13 9 6 4 a 34 9 107 9 22 24 65 47 34 26 143 38 414 36 16 15 17 35 25 33 26 56 15 201 18 48 12 15 16 16 11 12 9 35 9 126 11 56 14 25 27 10 7 45 35 31 8 167 15 396 100% 92 100% 100% 129 100% 377 100% 8% 3 Catholic School 140 1,134 100% 70 p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts and 43% o f t h o s e in th e C h r is tia n s c h o o l p ub lic p o s s e s s a c o lle g e d e g r e e o r m o r e . T he c o lle g e d e g r e e o r m o r e c a te g o r y i s 26% in p u b lic s c h o o l, 18% in C a th o lic s c h o o l, and 17% in n o n - s c h o o l. T he o b s e r v a tio n i s m a d e a ls o th a t o n ly 5% of the p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts d id n o t c o m p le te h ig h s c h o o l, w h e r e a s 30% of th e n o n - s c h o o l p u b lic r e p o r te d ly did n ot a tta in th is l e v e l o f sc h o o lin g . T o ta lly , it i s r e p o r te d th a t 56% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts h a v e a high s c h o o l e d u c a tio n o r l e s s , 2 6% h a v e fo u r y e a r s o f c o lle g e o r m o r e , and 18% h a v e c o m p le te d tw o y e a r s o f c o l le g e w o rk . The ty p e o f w o rk p e r fo r m e d by th e r e s p o n d e n ts i s th e th ird type o f d e m o g r a p h ic data so u g h t and i s p r e s e n te d in T a b le 4 - 3 . If the c a t e g o r ie s o f P r o f e s s io n a l , B u s in e s s - M a n a g e r ia l, and S a le s a r e com b in ed , the n u m b e r o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts r e p o r tin g in th e se c a t e g o r ie s e x c e e d s 80%. T he p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts in th is s a m e grouping i s 64%, p u b lic s c h o o l i s 53%, C a lh o lic s c h o o l i s 49%, and the n o n -s c h o o l g ro h p i s 43%. T he n u m b e r o f u n s k ille d la b o r e r s i s h ig h e st in the C a th o lic s c h o o l p u b lic , w ith 2 3% o f th o s e r e s p o n d in g p lacin g t h e m s e lv e s in th is ty p e of w o r k . In the w r i t e r ' s o p in io n , the u n em p lo y ed c a te g o r y m a y b e m is le a d in g in t e r m s o f th e n u m b er of r e sp o n d e n ts (21%) in th e n o n - s c h o o l c a te g o r y . F r o m w r itte n co m m en ts on c o m p le te d q u e s t io n n a ir e s o f n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts who c a te g o r iz e d t h e m s e lv e s a s u n e m p lo y e d , i t w a s o b s e r v e d th at a T A B L E 4 -3 T yp e of W ork P e r fo r m e d by R esp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic C hristian School Public School P ro fessio n a l B u sin ess M anagerial f % 75 19% f % 5 6% Catholic School f % 6 4% P reSchool f % 7 A ll R espondents NonSchool 5% f % 21 6% f % 113 10% 105 26 24 26 20 14 55 42 57 15 261 23 S ales 33 8 46 50 43 31 22 17 82 22 226 20 C raftsm an Forem an 64 16 3 3 7 5 9 7 31 8 114 10 U nskilled Laborer 25 6 5 5 32 23 16 12 56 15 134 12 S ervice 12 3 3 3 8 6 7 5 8 2 37 3 R etired 4 1 0 0 5 4 0 0 6 2 16 1 Unemployed 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 81 21 85 7 Housewife 51 13 0 0 1 1 9 7 4 1 65 6 Other 27 7 6 7 17 12 5 4 31 8 87 8 399 100% 100% 139 100% 131 100% 377 100% TOTAL 91 1,137 100% 72 n u m b er o f t h e s e p e r s o n s a r e w id o w ed a n d /o r o ld e r and liv in g on fixed in c o m e s , b u t do n o t c o n s id e r t h e m s e lv e s r e t ir e d . T he "O ther" c a te g o r y r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 3 w a s a n a ly z e d fo r e a c h p u b lic . R esp o n d e n ts in d ic a te d a v a r ie t y o f w o rk id e n t if ic a t io n s . T h ese in clu d ed p r o f e s s io n a l b a b y - s it t e r , c o lle g e stu d e n t, c a s h ie r , p o s t o ffic e e m p lo y e e , t e a c h e r a id e , co m p a n y p r e s id e n t , s e c u r it y g u a rd , jo u rn ey m a n , b u s - d r iv e r , and r a ilr o a d o f f ic e r . It a p p e a r s that w ith in e a c h p u b lic th e r e w a s su c h a v a r ie t y o f "oth er" w o rk p e r ­ form ed th a t e v e n i f th ey w e r e c a t e g o r iz e d in to the s p e c if i c w o rk c la s s if ic a t io n s id e n tifie d , th e p e r c e n t a g e s o f r e s p o n d e n ts in any of the w ork c l a s s if ic a t io n s w o u ld b e s im ila r . T he l a s t ty p e o f d e m o g r a p h ic in fo r m a tio n a s s e s s e d i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 4 and i s r e la te d to the o w n e r sh ip of p r o p e r ty in Grand R a p id s. O v e r a ll, 90% o f the r e s p o n d e n ts r e p o r te d ow ning p r o p e r ly in G rand R a p id s. T h e p e r c e n t a g e s ex te n d e d fr o m a h igh of 99% C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts to a low o f 76% o f p r e - s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts. The n u m b e r o f r e s p o n d e n ts ow n in g p r o p e r ty in th e o th e r p u b lics w e r e a s fo llo w s : and p u b lic s c h o o l, 88%. C h r is tia n s c h o o l, 97%; n o n - s c h o o l, 90%; T A B L E 4 -4 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents Who A re P roperty Owners in Grand Rapids by Voting Public Public School f Y es No TOTAL 352 50 402 C hristian School % f % 88% 88 97% 12 3 3 100% 91 100% Catholic School f 141 1 142 NonSchool P reSchool % f % 99% 96 76% 1 30 24 40 10 100% 126 100% 384 100% f 344 % 90% A ll R espondents f 1,021 124 1, 145 % 89% 11 100% P A R T II F in d in g s R e la te d to R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n s R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 1 W hat a r e the f e e l in g s of e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to w a rd the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? R e s e a r c h q u e s tio n one i s r e la t e d to the p e r c e p tio n s th at the r e s p o n d e n ts p o s s e s s ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s. The fo llo w in g in fo r m a tio n w a s so u g h t fr o m r e s p o n d e n ts r e la tin g to th e ir p e r c e p tio n s o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls : f i r s t , how g o o d a job th e y f e lt the s c h o o ls w e r e d o in g fo r G rand R a p id s c h ild r e n ; s e c o n d ly , how good a job th ey f e lt th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls w e r e d o in g c o m ­ pared to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s ; th ir d ly , in fo r m a tio n w a s so u g h t w hich d e te r m in e d the d e g r e e o f i n t e r e s t th a t the r e s p o n d e n ts had in the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls c o m p a r e d to o th e r p e r s o n s w hom th e y k new and fin a lly , r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to a g r e e o r d is a g r e e w ith v a r io u s s t a te m e n t s w h ich a s s e s s e d t h e ir p e r c e p tio n s o f t h e ir own ro le in the o p e r a tio n o f the p u b lic s c h o o l s y s t e m . The r e s p o n d e n ts ' p e r c e p tio n s o f the q u a lity o f the job th at the p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s a r e d oing a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le s 4 -5 and 4 - 6 . T h e s e p e r c e n t a g e s a r e r e p o r te d by v o tin g public in T a b le 4 - 5 and by l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d in T a b le 4 - 6 T A B L E 4 -5 P e r c e p tio n s o f the Q u a lity of the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls by V otin g P u b lic Public School C hristian School C atholic School f % f % f % f % 70 18% 17 19% 26 18% 26 20% 259 64 64 71 92 66 89 Not V ery Good 61 15 9 10 22 16 Not Good at A ll 13 3 0 0 0 0 100% 90 100% V ery Good F airly Good TOTAL 403 140 100% N onSchool P reSchool % f % 103 27% 242 21% 70 229 59 773 64 13 10 49 13 154 13 0 0 5 1 18 2 128 100% f A ll R espondents 386 100% 1, 147 100% TA BL E 4 -6 The E ffect of Education on How C itizens P er ceiv e the Quality of the Grand Rapids Public Schools L e ss than High School V ery Good F airly Good Not V ery Good N ot Good at A ll TOTAL f % 59 27% 128 High School or High School P lu s Two Y ears of C ollege A ll Respondents % f % f % 122 19% 50 17% 231 20% 60 410 67 194 69 732 66 27 13 84 14 39 14 150 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 214 100% f C ollege Graduate or More 616 100% 283 100% 1,113 100% 77 O v e r a ll it i s n o ted th a t of a l l r e s p o n d e n ts , a p p r o x im a te ly o n e - fif t h o f the r e s p o n d e n ts fe lt th a t the p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e d o in g a v e r y g o o d jo b . A p p r o x im a te ly an a d d itio n a l t w o - t h ir d s o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts s a id th e y w e r e d oin g f a ir ly g o o d . T he r e m a in in g r e s p o n d e n ts (ab ou t 15%) f e lt that the s c h o o ls w e r e l e s s than a d e q u a te in t e r m s o f the q u a lity o f job they w e r e p e r fo r m in g . No m a jo r d if f e r e n c e s a m o n g the f iv e v o tin g p u b lics a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 5 . N o r d o e s it a p p e a r th a t th e le v e l of sc h o o lin g (r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 6 ) a f f e c t s a p p r e c ia b ly the p e r c e p ­ tion that th e r e s p o n d e n ts h a v e of th e q u a lity o f job th e p u b lic s c h o o ls are d oin g. T h is is illu s t r a t e d by th e f a c t th a t th e p e r c e n t a g e s o f re sp o n d en ts w h o ra te th e s c h o o ls a s v e r y good o r f a ir ly good a re a lm o s t id e n tic a l w ith in th e v a r io u s s t r a t a o f s c h o o lin g . O f th o s e resp on d in g w ith l e s s th an a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n , 87% r a te d th e s c h o o ls in t h e s e c a t e g o r ie s , a s did 86% o f th o s e w h o had a h ig h sc h o o l e d u c a tio n a n d /o r tw o y e a r s o f c o lle g e ; and th e s a m e n u m b e r (86%) of th o se w h o p o s s e s s e d a c o lle g e d e g r e e o r m o r e ra te d the sc h o o ls in a s im ila r m a n n e r . R e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 7 a r e the p e r c e p tio n s th a t th e r e s p o n ­ den ts have a b o u t the q u a lity o f the p u b lic s c h o o l p r o g r a m in G rand R apids c o m p a r e d to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s . A g a in t h e r e i s c o n s id ­ e r a b le s im ila r it y a m on g the fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s . O f the p r e - s c h o o l re sp o n d en ts, 86% fe lt th at th e p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e d o in g a v e r y good T A B L E 4 -7 P e r c e p tio n s of the Q u a lity o f the Grand R ap id s P u b lic S c h o o ls C om p ared to O ther S ch o o l S y s te m s by V oting P u b lic Public School C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool f % f % f % f % 63 16% 16 18% 23 17% 28 256 66 57 64 80 58 Not V ery Good 57 15 16 18 32 Not Good at A ll 13 3 0 0 2 389 100% 89 100% V ery Good F airly Good TOTAL 137 N onSchool A ll Respondents f % f % 22% 100 27% 230 21% 80 64 214 57 687 61 23 17 13 50 13 172 15 2 1 1 13 3 29 3 100% 126 100% 377 100% 1, 118 100% 79 or f a ir ly good job c o m p a r e d to o th e r s y s t e m s . T he c o r r e s p o n d in g p e r c e n ta g e s a r e 82% fo r p u b lic s c h o o l, 82% f o r C h r is tia n s c h o o l, 82% fo r n o n - s c h o o l, and 75% fo r C a th o lic s c h o o l. O v e r a ll, the public s c h o o ls w e r e ra te d v e r y g o o d o r f a ir ly g o o d b y 82% o f a l l re sp o n d e n ts. O f th e C a th o lic r e s p o n d e n ts , 25% r a te d th e s c h o o ls a s n ot v e r y g o o d o r not g o o d a t a l l by c o m p a r is o n w ith o th e r s y s t e m s . F e w e r p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (14%) r a te d the p u b lic s c h o o ls a s l e s s than a d eq u a te than d id r e s id e n t s in any o th e r v o tin g p u b lic . A n o th e r a s s e s s m e n t o f th e f e e lin g o f c i t iz e n s to w a r d th e public s c h o o ls w a s so u g h t by d e te r m in in g t h e ir i n t e r e s t in p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h is i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 8 . R e s p o n d e n ts w e r e a sk e d to a s s e s s th e ir own i n t e r e s t c o m p a r e d to o th e r p e r s o n s w h o m th e y know. T h ir ty -n in e p e r c e n t of p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 37% o f C h r istia n s c h o o l and p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 30% o f n o n - s c h o o l, and 25% of C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts s e e t h e m s e lv e s a s m o r e in te r e s te d than o t h e r s . O f th o s e r e s p o n d in g , 96% p e r c e iv e t h e m ­ s e lv e s b ein g e it h e r m o r e in t e r e s t e d o r s h a r in g th e s a m e d e g r e e o f in te r e s t tow ard the p u b lic s c h o o ls a s o th e r p e r s o n s w h om th e y k n ow . The f e e lin g s that s o m e p e o p le h a v e a b o u t p u b lic s c h o o ls m ay be r e la te d to how th ey p e r c e iv e o f t h e ir r o le in v o ic in g o p in io n s and in b ein g h e a r d b y p u b lic s c h o o l o f f i c i a l s . T o a s s e s s t h is a s p e c t of the c o m m u n ity 's f e e lin g s to w a rd p u b lic s c h o o ls , th e r e s p o n d e n ts T A B L E 4 -8 I n t e r e s t o f R esp o n d en ts in the G rand R ap id s P u b lic S c h o o ls by V otin g P u b lic Public School C hristian School C atholic School P reSchool NonSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % M ore Interested 155 39% 34 37% 34 25% 49 37% 116 30% 388 34% About the Same 242 60 52 58 92 67 74 57 243 64 703 62 4 1 5 5 11 8 8 6 23 6 51 4 100% 91 100% 137 100% 100% 382 100% L e ss Interested TOTAL 401 131 f % f % 1, 142 100% 81 w e r e a sk e d to a g r e e o r d is a g r e e w ith fo u r s t a t e m e n t s . sta te m e n t w a s th e fo llo w in g : The f i r s t " P u b lic s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls d o n 't c a r e m uch w h a t w e ( c it iz e n s ) thin k . " T h e r e s p o n s e s to t h is s ta te m e n t by v o tin g p u b lic a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 9 . T o ta lly , o n e -th ir d of the r e sp o n d e n ts a g r e e d w ith th e s ta te m e n t. A h ig h e r p e r c e n ta g e o f C ath olic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (41%) and p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (39%) a g r e e d w ith th e s t a te m e n t than did t h o s e fr o m th e o th e r p u b lic s . C h r istia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts r e f le c t e d the lo w e s t p e r c e n ta g e o f a g r e e m e n t w ith l e s s than 14%. O f th e p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 27% in d ica ted a g r e e m e n t, a s did 31% o f n o n - s c h o o l p a r tic ip a n ts . T he s e c o n d s t a te m e n t th a t r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to a g r e e or d is a g r e e w ith w a s s ta te d in t h is m a n n er: "V oting in m illa g e e le c tio n s o r fo r B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n m e m b e r s i s th e o n ly w ay th at w e h ave an yth in g to s a y how the p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e ru n . " The r e s p o n s e s to th is s t a te m e n t a r e o b s e r v e d in T a b le 4 - 1 0 . M o re than h alf (55%) of C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt that th is s t a te m e n t w a s v alid . On the o th e r hand, o n ly 28% o f p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts a g reed w ith it. T he o th e r p u b lic s a g r e e d w ith the s t a te m e n t to the exten t that 46% o f the n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt th a t it w a s tr u e , a s did 43% o f th o s e in the p u b lic s c h o o l c a te g o r y , and 32% of C h ristia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T he th ird s t a te m e n t d e a lt w ith p e o p l e ' s p e r c e p tio n o f the c o m p lex ity o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m . It re a d lik e th is: "O ur p u b lic T A B L E 4 -9 N u m b ers and P e r c e n ta g e s of R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic Who A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e Statem en t: ''P u b lic S ch ool O ffic ia ls D o n 't C a re M uch W hat W e (C itiz e n s ) Think" Public School f C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool NonSchool % f % f % f % f A ll Respondents % f % A gree 155 39% 12 14% 56 41% 35 27% 119 31% 377 33% D isa g ree 241 61 75 86 81 59 94 73 263 69 754 67 TOTAL 396 100% 87 100% 137 100% 129 100% 382 100% 1, 131 100% T A BL E 4 -1 0 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents by Voting Public Who A gree or D isa g ree with the Statement: "Voting in M illage E lection s or for Board of Education M em bers Is the Only Way That We Have Anything to Say How the Public Schools A re Run" Public School C hristian School Catholic School NonSchool P reSchool f % f % f % f % f A gree 171 43% 28 32% 78 55% 37 28% D isagree 226 57 60 68 63 45 93 TOTAL 397 100% 88 100% 141 100% 130 A ll Respondents % f % 176 46% 490 43% 72 208 54 650 57 100% 384 100% 1,140 100% 84 ed u ca tio n a l s y s t e m i s too c o m p le x f o r m e to u n d er sta n d . " O nly about o n e -fifth o f the r e s p o n d e n ts (21%) a g r e e d w ith th is s ta te m e n t, a s show n by a n a ly z in g T a b le 4 - 1 1 . O r s ta tin g the r e s u lt s in a n o th er m ann er, i t m a y b e sa id that a lm o s t f o u r -f if th s of the r e sp o n d e n ts fe lt th at the p u b lic e d u c a tio n a l s y s t e m i s not to o c o m p le x fo r th em to u n d ersta n d . O f the n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 29% f e lt th a t it i s too c o m p le x , w h ile o n ly 8% o f the p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts r e sp o n d ed in this m a n n er . A bou t o n e -fifth o f the C a th o lic s c h o o l, C h r is tia n sc h o o l, and p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts a g r e e d w ith the sta te m e n t. T he fin a l s ta te m e n t th a t a tte m p te d to a s s e s s r e sp o n d e n ts ' fe e lin g s ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls w a s the fo llo w in g : " C itiz e n s of a ll a g e s a r e e n c o u r a g e d to u s e the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . " T he r e sp o n se s a s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 -1 2 in d ic a te that m o r e than tw o thirds (69%) o f a l l p u b lic s f e e l that c it iz e n s a r e e n c o u r a g e d to u s e the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . The p u b lic that f e lt a p p r e c ia b ly d iffe x e n t about the a v a ila b ility o f s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s w a s p r e - s c h o o l. O nly 5 9% of the p r e - s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts in d ic a te d a g r e e m e n t w ith the s t a t e ­ m ent. The grou p r e fle c tin g th e h ig h e s t p e r c e n ta g e of a g r e e m e n t w as n o n -s c h o o l, in w h ich 73% in d ic a te d c o n c u r r e n c e w ith the s t a t e ­ m ent. TA BLE 4 -1 1 N u m b e rs and P e r c e n ta g e s o f R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e Statem en t: "Our P u b lic E d u ca tio n S y ste m Is T oo C om p lex F o r M e to U n derstand " Public School f % C hristian School % 19% f % P reSchool f % NonSchool f % 110 29% 234 21% 888 79 69 16 D isagree 320 82 70 81 111 80 120 92 267 71 TOTAL 389 100% 86 100% 139 100% 131 100% 377 100% A gree 28 20% 11 8% A ll Respondents % f CO H f Catholic School 1,122 100% T A B L E 4 -1 2 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n ta g e s o f R esp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic W ho A g r e e o r D is a g r e e w ith th e S tatem en t: " C itiz e n s o f A ll A g e s A r e E n co u ra g ed to U s e L o c a l P u b lic S ch o o ls" Public School f C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool % f % f % f % N onSchool A ll R espondents f % f % A gree 269 68% 62 70% 94 68% 77 59% 275 73% 777 69% D isagree 125 32 26 30 44 32 54 41 100 27 349 31 TOTAL 394 100% 88 100% 138 100% 131 100% 375 100% 1, 126 100% 87 Sum m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 1 G e n e r a lly , th e r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt th at th e p u b lic s c h o o ls in Grand R a p id s a r e d o in g an a d eq u a te job o f ed u ca tin g th e you th . T h is i s r e f le c t e d by the r e s p o n d e n ts in a ll f iv e v o tin g p u b lic s . S im ila r p e r c e p tio n s a r e a l s o h e ld by th e r e s p o n d e n ts r e g a r d le s s of the le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d . A g r e a t e r n u m b e r (25%) of C ath olic r e s p o n d e n ts r a te d the p u b lic s c h o o ls a s l e s s than a d eq u a te w hen co m p a red to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s than did r e s p o n d e n ts in any o th er p u b lic . C o n v e r s e ly , m o r e p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (86%) rated the p u b lic s c h o o ls fa v o r a b ly in c o m p a r is o n to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s than did any o th e r p u b lic . R e la tiv e to in t e r e s t in p u b lic s c h o o ls , 96% o f the r e s p o n d e n ts f e l t th at th e y a r e a s in t e r e s t e d o r m o r e in te r e s te d than o th e r p e r s o n s w hom th ey know . P u b lic s c h o o l p a ren ts p e r c e iv e o f t h e m s e lv e s a s b ein g m o r e in t e r e s t e d than an y oth er p u b lic. A bout o n e -th ir d o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts p e r c e iv e th a t p u b lic sc h o o l o f f ic ia ls d o n 't c a r e w hat th e y (th e c it iz e n s ) thin k . T h is p e r ­ cen tage v a r i e s w ith in th e f iv e p u b lic s fr o m 41% o f C a th o lic p a r e n ts to l e s s than 14% o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . M o r e than o n e - h alf (55%) of C a th o lic r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt th a t t h e ir o n ly in v o lv e m e n t in the running o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls w a s by v o tin g in m illa g e e l e c ­ tio n s or e le c t in g m e m b e r s to the B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n . O n ly 28% o f 88 p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts a g r e e d w ith th e s a m e s ta te m e n t. M ost p e r so n s fe lt that th e s c h o o l s y s t e m i s n o t to o c o m p le x fo r th em to u n d e r sta n d , with 80% o f the r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a tin g t h is . O f th e n o n - s c h o o l public, 29% f e lt th a t i t i s to o c o m p le x . T h is p e r c e n ta g e d im in is h e d to l e s s than 9% fo r p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n t s . M o s t r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt th at c itiz e n s a r e e n c o u r a g e d to u s e th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . M o r e than tw o -th ir d s (69%) o f th o s e r e p ly in g to th e q u e s tio n f e lt th a t t h is i s tr u e . R e se a r c h Q u e s tio n 2 How m u ch d o e s e a c h v o tin g p u b lic p a r tic ip a te in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s ? T h e r e w e r e s e v e r a l p a r ts to the q u e s tio n r e la tin g to the exten t of p a r tic ip a tio n o f r e s p o n d e n ts in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s . O ne part c o n s id e r e d th e n u m b e r o f s c h o o l v is it a t io n s and d is c u s s i o n s that r e sp o n d e n ts had w ith s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l d u rin g the p a s t y e a r . A secon d p h a se o f the q u e s tio n so u g h t to d e te r m in e the a m o u n t o f d i s ­ c u ssio n s about th e p u b lic s c h o o ls th a t w e r e h e ld b e tw e e n r e s p o n d e n ts and p e r s o n s o th e r than p u b lic s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s . In a d d itio n , a listin g o f a c t iv it ie s w a s c o m p ile d in w h ich the r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a te d they w ould lik e to p a r t ic ip a t e i f th e y w e r e o ffe r e d in th e s c h o o ls . A final s o u r c e fo r a s s e s s i n g th e q u e s tio n of p a r tic ip a tio n a sk e d the resp o n d en ts to in d ic a te p r o g r a m s o r a c t iv it ie s p r e s e n t ly o c c u r r in g in the s c h o o ls ab ou t w h ic h th e y d e s ir e d in fo r m a tio n . 89 T h e f i r s t m eth o d of a s s e s s i n g c it iz e n p a r tic ip a tio n w a s to find ou t how e x t e n s iv e ly the p u b lic s c h o o ls w e r e v is it e d l a s t y e a r . The fr e q u e n c y o f s c h o o l v is it a t io n s o r a tte n d a n c e a t s c h o o l fu n c tio n s i s s u m m a r iz e d in T a b le 4 - 1 3 . M o r e than o n e -th ir d (37%) o f the r e sp o n d e n ts r e p o r te d th a t th e y had no c o n ta c t w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls la s t y e a r th rou gh a s c h o o l v is it a t io n o r by a tte n d a n c e a t an y s c h o o l fun ction . M o r e than o n e - h a lf (56%) o f the r e s p o n d e n ts v is it e d s c h o o ls a m a x im u m o f tw o t im e s . n o n -s c h o o l p u b lic . N o n - v is it a t io n w a s h ig h e s t a m o n g the In t h is g ro u p 62% did n o t v i s i t o r a tten d an y s c h o o l fu n ctio n and a n o th e r 18% v is it e d o n ly o n c e o r t w ic e . M o re than t h r e e - q u a r t e r s (76%) o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts v is it e d p u b lic s c h o o ls n ot m o r e than tw ic e , and h a lf o f th em had no fo r m a l c o n ta c t through a v i s i t o r by a tte n d a n c e a t a s c h o o l fu n c tio n . O f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 24% m a d e two o r l e s s v i s i t s to th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . Of a ll r e s p o n d e n ts , 11% v is ite d p u b lic s c h o o ls o r a tten d ed p u b lic sc h o o l fu n c tio n s m o r e than 10 t im e s la s t y e a r . In T a b le 4 -1 4 p a r tic ip a tio n i s r e p o r te d in t e r m s o f phone c a l ls o r p e r s o n a l c o n ­ ta c ts that the r e s p o n d e n ts had w ith t e a c h e r s o r o th e r s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls . An a n a ly s is o f T a b le 4 - 1 4 in d ic a t e s that m o r e than o n e third (34%) o f the r e s p o n d e n ts had no c o n ta c t a t a l l w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls la s t y e a r . T w o -th ir d s (66%) o f n o n - s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts had a m a x im u m o f tw o c o n ta c ts e it h e r by phone o r in p e r s o n w ith a T A B L E 4 -1 3 F r e q u e n c y T hat R e sp o n d en ts b y V oting P u b lic V is ite d P u b lic S c h o o ls o r A tten d ed P u b lic S c h o o l F u n c tio n s L a st Y e a r Public School f % C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool f % f % f % 45 50% 45 33% 56 43% N onSchool f A ll R espondents % f % 62% 413 37% N ot at A ll 33 One or Two T im es 64 16 23 26 41 30 20 16 67 18 215 19 Three to Ten T im es 213 54 22 24 38 27 38 29 61 16 372 33 M ore than Ten T im es 86 22 0 0 13 10 15 12 16 4 130 11 396 100% 90 100% 100% 129 100% 378 100% TOTAL 8% 137 234 1,130 100% T A B L E 4 -1 4 F r e q u e n c y T hat R esp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic T a lk ed by P h on e o r In P e r s o n w ith a T e a c h e r o r O th er S ch o o l O ffic ia l L a s t Y e a r P ublic School Not at A ll C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool f % f % f % f % 52 13% 38 42% 40 30% 48 37% N onSchool A ll R espondents f % f % 208 55% 386 34% One or Two T im es 105 27 22 25 42 31 17 13 43 11 229 21 T hree to Ten T im es 148 38 20 22 32 24 34 26 79 19 304 27 M ore than Ten T im es 87 22 10 11 20 15 32 24 58 15 207 18 392 100% 90 100% 134 100% 131 100% 379 100% TOTAL 1,126 100% 92 tea c h e r o r o th e r s c h o o l o f f ic ia l. A p p r o x im a te ly the s a m e p e r c e n ta g e (67%) of the C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts a ls o had a m a x im u m o f tw o co n ta cts. O f p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 40% r e p o r te d that th ey had con tacts w ith the s c h o o l in th is m a n n e r n ot m o r e than tw ic e d u rin g the la s t y e a r . A g r e a t e r n u m b e r of p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (24%) had c o n ta c ts m o r e than 10 t im e s w ith s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls by phone o r in p e r so n la s t y e a r than did any o th e r p u b lic . O f the p u b lic s c h o o l re sp o n d en ts, 22% had c o n ta c ts by phone o r in p e r s o n m o r e than 10 tim e s . A n o th er d im e n s io n of p a r tic ip a tio n in s c h o o l a f f a ir s i s rep orted in T a b le 4 - 1 5 , w h e r e th e d im e n s io n of p a r tic ip a tio n i s en larged to in clu d e d is c u s s io n about th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls w ith o th ers. It m a y b e o b s e r v e d that e v e n i f the r e s p o n d e n ts did not v is it n or h ave d ir e c t c o n ta c ts w ith s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l d u rin g the p a s t y ea r, the p u b lic s c h o o ls , n e v e r t h e le s s , w e r e d is c u s s e d . A lm o s t four out of fiv e o f th e r e sp o n d e n ts (78%) r e p o r te d th at th ey d is c u s s the p u b lic s c h o o ls w ith o th e r s q u ite o fte n o r v e r y o fte n . T h is p e r ­ centage w a s g r e a t e s t in the p u b lic s c h o o l c a te g o r y , w h e r e 87% of the re sp o n d e n ts in d ic a te d d is c u s s io n s took p la c e q u ite o ften o r v e r y often. Of C h r istia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 81% r e p o r te d a lik e n u m b er of d is c u s s io n s , a s d id 79% o f C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 77% o f the p r e -s c h o o l p u b lic, and 67% of the n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . T A B L E 4 -1 5 F re q u en cy T h at R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic D is c u s s th e L o c a l P u b lic S c h o o ls w ith O th e rs Public School f Not at A ll % 0 0% C hristian School f % 5 5% Catholic School f % 1 1% P reSchool f % 1 1% NonSchool f 25 % 7% A ll R espondents f % 32 3% 50 12 12 13 29 21 29 22 99 26 219 19 Quite Often 229 58 59 65 91 65 83 63 188 49 649 57 V ery Often 119 30 15 17 19 13 19 14 68 18 240 21 TOTAL 398 100% 91 100% 140 100% 131 100% 380 100% Seldom 1,140 100% 94 P a r t of th e stu d y r e la tin g to p a r tic ip a tio n so u g h t to id e n tify th ose a c t iv it ie s in w h ich th e r e s p o n d e n ts w ould lik e to p a r tic ip a te if they w e r e o ffe r e d in p u b lic s c h o o ls . in T able 4 - 1 6 . T h e s e a c t iv it ie s a r e r e p o r te d E v e n in g r e c r e a t io n w a s the a c t iv it y in w h ich the la r g e s t p e r c e n ta g e o f r e sp o n d e n ts in d ic a te d a d e s ir e to p a r tic ip a te (29%). The p u b lic m o s t d e s ir o u s of th is w a s C a th o lic s c h o o l w ith 38%, fo llo w ed c l o s e ly by p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w ith 34% and p r e ­ sch o o l p a r e n ts w ith 31%. A p p r o x im a te ly 10% of th e to ta l n u m b er of re sp o n d e n ts w e r e in t e r e s t e d in p a r tic ip a tin g in ev e n in g high sch o o l a c t iv it ie s and the s a m e p e r c e n ta g e in d ic a te d an a v a ila b ility for v o lu n te e r w ork in c l a s s r o o m s . Of p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 31% r e fle c te d an in t e r e s t in P T A a n d /o r s c h o o l c o m m itte e w o rk , a s did 25% of p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts . A n a s s e s s m e n t o f the "other" categ o ry r e v e a le d th at th e a c t iv it ie s lis t e d by r e sp o n d e n ts in the ca tegory could g e n e r a lly b e in clu d ed in one o f the c a t e g o r ie s of a c tiv itie s a lr e a d y lis t e d . The e x c e p tio n to th is w a s (7) p r e - s c h o o l resp on d en ts w ho w e r e d e s ir o u s o f s e r v in g on c o m m itt e e s d e sig n e d to reco m m en d p o lic y c h a n g e s to the B o a rd o f E d u ca tio n . A n oth er p h a se o f p a r tic ip a tio n a s s e s s e d w a s th o s e p u b lic sch o o l p r o g r a m s about w h ich r e sp o n d e n ts a r e d e s ir o u s of m o r e in form ation . P e r h a p s s o m e w ou ld c o n s id e r th is a p h a se o f c o m ­ m unication r a th e r than p a r tic ip a tio n . H o w e v e r , i t m a y be d e s ir a b le TABLE 4-16 A c t iv it ie s in W hich R e sp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic W ould L ike to P a r tic ip a te If T h ey W ere O ffered in the P u b lic S ch o o ls Public School f C hristian School %a f 34% 12 Catholic School N onSchool P reSchool A ll R espondents f %" f %" f %a f %a 13% 54 38% 41 31% 91 23% 340 29% Evening R ecreation 142 Evening High School 54 13 6 7 15 10 9 7 31 8 113 10 V olunteer C lass W orker 54 13 8 9 7 5 18 14 34 9 121 10 106 25 10 11 15 10 40 31 41 10 212 19 27 7 1 1 11 8 15 12 35 9 89 8 P. T. A. Other TOTALb 416 92 144 131 398 1, 181 T h ese are p ercen tages of the total number of respondents who replied to the q u estio n ­ naire from each voting public. Since a respondent m ay have checked m ore than one activ ity (or none), the p ercent total reading from top to bottom does not equal 100. b T hese totals are the number of respondents that replied to the questionnaire from each voting public. They do not n e c e ss a r ily rep resen t the number of respondents who reacted to this question. 96 to se e k the a c t iv e p a r tic ip a tio n o f the p e o p le in e s ta b lis h in g the m ea n s th rou gh w h ich in fo r m a tio n ab ou t p r o g r a m s can b e a c q u ir e d . T his i s the r a tio n a le fo r in clu d in g t h is data in th e q u e stio n r e la tin g to p a r tic ip a tio n . R ep o rted in T a b le 4 -1 7 a r e th o s e p h a s e s o f the public s c h o o l p r o g r a m ab out w h ich r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a te d a d e s ir e for a d d itio n a l in fo r m a tio n . M o re than o n e - h a lf o f p r e - s c h o o l and public s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts (56% and 53%, r e s p e c t iv e ly ) a r e d e s ir o u s of m o re in fo r m a tio n ab out new te a c h in g m e th o d s in the p u b lic s c h o o ls . F o r ty -o n e p e r c e n t o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts and o n e - third of C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w ou ld a ls o lik e to know m o r e about this a re a o f the p u b lic s c h o o l p r o g r a m . O v e r a ll, 43% o f the r e s p o n ­ dents in d ica ted th e n eed fo r m o r e in fo r m a tio n ab ou t new te a c h in g m eth od s. M o re in fo r m a tio n ab out o p e r a tin g c o s t s o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m w as d e s ir e d by 36% of the r e s p o n d e n ts . A ll p u b lic s sh a r e d about equally in th is d e s ir e , w ith 43% o f th e C a th o lic s c h o o l p o p u la tio n , 41% of the p r e - s c h o o l, 36% of the p u b lic s c h o o l, and 30% o f the n o n ­ sch o o l p op u lation d e s ir o u s o f m o r e in fo r m a tio n about o p era tin g c o s t s . Another a r e a of the s c h o o l p r o g r a m ab out w h ich a r a th e r la r g e p e r ­ centage of r e sp o n d e n ts d e s ir e d in fo r m a tio n r e la t e s to s c h o o l o r g a n i­ zation (in c lu d e s the C ontin uou s P r o g r e s s P r o g r a m , M id d le S ch o o l con stru ctio n p la n , and the M a s te r P la n fo r in te g r a tio n ). A lm o s t T A B L E 4 -1 7 P u b lic School P ro g ra m A c tiv itie s That R esid e n ts by Voting P u b lic D e s ir e M ore Inform ation P u b lic School f C hristian School C atholic School P reSchool %a f %" f %" f %" N onSchool f A ll R espondents %" f %a 31% 504 43% New T eaching M ethods 222 53% 38 41% 47 33% 73 56% School Building 155 37 29 32 44 31 40 31 88 22 356 30 Student C ounseling 162 39 30 33 42 29 35 27 100 25 369 31 School O r g a n iz a ­ tion s 203 49 31 34 44 31 60 46 78 20 416 35 T ea ch er R e c r u it­ m en t 103 25 17 19 18 13 33 25 57 14 228 19 124 TA BL E 4 - 1 7 - - C o n t i n u e d Operating C osts 150 36 35 38 62 43 54 41 118 30 419 36 Teaching of Reading 107 26 13 14 38 26 21 16 58 15 237 20 Handicapped P rogram s 67 16 20 22 27 19 30 23 87 22 231 20 Other 13 3 1 1 0 0 4 3 11 3 29 3 TOTALb 416 92 141 131 398 1,181 T hese are p ercen tages of the total number of respondents who replied to the q u estio n ­ naire from each voting public. Since a respondent m ay have checked m ore than one activity (or none), the percent total reading from top to bottom does not equal 100. T hese totals are the number of respondents that replied to the questionnaire from each voting public. They do not n e c e ssa r ily rep resen t the number of respondents who reacted to this question. 99 o n e -h a lf (49%) of th e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts and 46% o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e d e s ir o u s o f in fo r m a tio n p e r ta in in g to t h is p h a se o f the p ub lic s c h o o l o p e r a tio n . T h e s c h o o l b u ild in g p r o g r a m and stu d en t c o u n se lin g s e r v i c e s w e r e o th e r a r e a s a b o u t w h ic h a lm o s t o n e -th ir d of a ll r e s p o n d e n ts (30% and 31%, r e s p e c t iv e ly ) d e s ir e d m o r e i n f o r ­ m a tio n . A d d itio n a l k n o w le d g e in both t e a c h e r r e c r u it m e n t p r o c e d u r e s and the te a c h in g o f r e a d in g w a s e x p r e s s e d by ab ou t o n e - fif t h o f a l l r e sp o n d e n ts . S u m m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 2 P a r t ic ip a t io n w a s id e n tifie d and m e a s u r e d in s e v e r a l w a y s . S ch ool v is it a t io n s and a tte n d a n c e a t s c h o o l fu n c tio n s la s t y e a r w a s the f i r s t c r it e r io n u s e d . B y t h is c r it e r io n it w a s r e p o r te d th at 37% of the r e s p o n d e n ts had n o t v is it e d p u b lic s c h o o ls o r a tte n d ed p u b lic sc h o o l fu n ctio n s d u r in g th e p a s t y e a r . N o n - v is it a t io n w a s h ig h e s t am ong n o n - s c h o o l and C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , w ith 80% and 76%, r e s p e c t iv e ly , o f t h e s e p u b lic s v is it in g o r a tte n d in g s c h o o l fu n ction s tw o t im e s o r l e s s . T he s e c o n d d im e n s io n o f p a r tic ip a tio n a s s e s s e d w a s p hon e c o n ta c t o r p e r s o n a l v i s i t w ith p u b lic s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l d u rin g th e p a s t y e a r . U s in g t h is c r it e r ia , th e r e w e r e m o r e than o n e -th ir d o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w h o had no c o n ta c t w ith pub lic s c h o o ls . 100 W hen a th ir d d im e n s io n o f s c h o o l p a r tic ip a tio n w a s a d d e d - that o f d is c u s s io n a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls w ith o t h e r s - - t h e p e r c e n ta g e of p a r tic ip a n ts r o s e s h a r p ly . S e v e n t y -e ig h t p e r c e n t o f th e r e s p o n ­ dents r e p o r te d th a t th e y d is c u s s e d th e p u b lic s c h o o ls q u ite o ften o r v er y o fte n w ith o t h e r s . T h is w a s g e n e r a lly tr u e o f a ll v o tin g p u b lic s . A n o th e r a s s e s s m e n t o f p a r tic ip a tio n w a s m a d e by id e n tify in g a c t iv it ie s in w h ic h r e s p o n d e n ts w o u ld d e s i r e to p a r tic ip a te i f the a c t iv it ie s w e r e o ffe r e d in the p u b lic s c h o o ls . E v e n in g r e c r e a t io n a c t iv it ie s w e r e m o s t r e q u e s te d by r e s p o n d e n ts fr o m a ll p u b lic s , with 2 9% e x p r e s s in g a d e s i r e to p a r t ic ip a t e . T h ir ty p e r c e n t of p r e ­ sc h o o l p a r e n ts and 25% o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w is h e d to b e c o m e in volved in P T A and o th e r s c h o o l c o m m it t e e s . T he fin a l a s s e s s m e n t of p a r tic ip a tio n w a s m a d e by a sk in g re sp o n d en ts to id e n tify t h o s e p r e s e n t p u b lic s c h o o l p r o g r a m s and a c t iv it ie s about w h ich th e y d e s i r e m o r e in fo r m a tio n . M o re in f o r ­ m ation about new te a c h in g m e th o d s , o p e r a tin g c o s t s o f th e s c h o o l sy s te m , the s c h o o l b u ild in g p r o g r a m , and s tu d e n t c o u n s e lin g s e r v ic e s w e r e r e q u e s te d c o n s is t e n t ly by a l l r e s p o n d e n ts . P u b lic s c h o o l and p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts e x p r e s s e d a h igh d eg ree of in t e r e s t in s c h o o l o r g a n iz a tio n , w ith a lm o s t o n e - h a lf o f th ese r e sp o n d e n ts (49% and 46%, r e s p e c t iv e ly ) r e q u e s tin g in f o r m a ­ tion about th is p h a s e o f th e s c h o o l p r o g r a m . 1 01 R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 3 W hat m e th o d s a r e u s e d b y e a c h v o tin g p u b lic to c o m m u n ic a te w ith the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? C o m m u n ic a tio n i s c o n s id e r e d b y s o m e to b e on e o f th e m a jo r p r o b le m s w ith w h ic h p u b lic s c h o o l s y s t e m s a r e c o n fr o n te d to d a y . The p u r p o se o f in c lu d in g t h is q u e s tio n in th e stu d y w a s to d e t e r m in e the m e th o d s by w h ic h the v a r io u s v o tin g p u b lic s le a r n ab ou t the p u b lic sc h o o l s y s t e m . R e sp o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to e v a lu a te how m u c h h e lp v a r io u s c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia w e r e to th e m in le a r n in g a b o u t th e pub lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s. M ed ia w h ich th e r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e ask ed to a s s e s s w e r e th e fo llo w in g : t e le v is io n , r a d io , T he G rand R apids P r e s s (th e o n ly d a ily n e w sp a p e r in the G rand R a p id s a r e a ), a rea w e e k ly n e w s p a p e r s , s c h o o l b u lle t in s , s p e e c h e s b y s c h o o l o f fic ia ls , s c h o o l p r o g r a m s (in c lu d in g F T A ), c h ild r e n , f r ie n d s and n e ig h b o r s, and " oth er" s o u r c e s . R e sp o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to ch e c k how h elp fu l e a c h m e d iu m w a s to th em in le a r n in g a b o u t the p u b lic s c h o o ls . T he c a t e g o r ie s w e r e n o n e, a li t t l e , q u ite a b it, and v e r y m uch. T he r e p o r te d u s e o f e a c h of t h e s e m e d ia by th e v a r io u s p u b lic s to le a r n ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls i s in c lu d e d in A p p en d ix F (T a b les 1 8 -2 6 ). In T a b le 4 - 2 7 , the d ata fro m T a b le s 1 8 -2 6 a r e c o m p ile d and s u m m a r iz e d . T he p e r c e n ta g e s o f r e sp o n d e n ts by v o tin g p u b lic who u se e a c h o f the m e d ia q u ite a b it and v e r y m u ch a r e co m b in ed and a r e r e p o r te d by e s ta b lis h in g a rank o r d e r o f u tiliz a tio n w ith in each votin g p u b lic in T a b le 4 - 2 7 . It m a y b e o b s e r v e d in th is ta b le , for in sta n c e , that e v e r y p u b lic ran k ed T h e G rand R a p id s P r e s s fir s t a s a s o u r c e o f le a r n in g ab out the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . O v era ll, 81% of the r e sp o n d e n ts f e lt that th e y le a r n e d q u ite a b it o r v ery m uch by r e a d in g T h e G rand R a p id s P r e s s . The n ex t m o s t im portan t s o u r c e o f le a r n in g ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls r e p o r te d by the re sp o n d e n ts w a s t e le v is io n , th rou gh w h ich 46% of a l l r e sp o n d e n ts indicated th ey le a r n e d q u ite a b it or v e r y m u c h . T he p e r c e n ta g e s by voting p u b lic ex ten d ed fr o m a h igh o f 49% w ith the p u b lic s c h o o l public and 48% w ith the n o n - s c h o o l p u b lic to a lo w o f 32% w ith C h ristia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . The th ird ran k ing c o m m u n ic a tio n m edia judged by the am ou n t of h e lp th e y p ro v id e d to r e sp o n d e n ts in learn ing ab out p u b lic s c h o o ls w e r e c h ild r e n and fr ie n d s and n e ig h b o r s. Of a ll r e sp o n d e n ts , 44% s a id th a t th ey le a r n e d q u ite a b it o r v e r y much through t h e s e s o u r c e s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n . C h ild ren ranked h igh est a s a s o u r c e of in fo r m a tio n a m o n g p u b lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts with 56% and lo w e s t a m on g C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts w ith 28%. With p ub lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , c h ild r e n ran k ed se c o n d on ly to The TABL E 4 - 2 7 P ercentage of Respondents Who Learned "Very Much" or "Quite a Bit" from Communication Media and Rank Order by Voting Public of Media Used by Each Voting Public Public School C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool N onSchool A ll R espondents % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank % Rank T elevisio n 49% 3 32% 3 45% 3 42% 2 49% 2 46% 2 Radio 38 7 27 6 30 6 28 4 35 6 33 6 Grand Rapids P r e s s 78 1 88 1 78 1 82 1 84 1 81 1 A rea N ewspaper 32 8 28 4 50 2 21 7 42 5 35 5 School B ulletins 47 4 12 8 25 7 24 6 22 9 33 6 Speeches by School O fficials 24 9 15 7 24 8 10 9 28 7 22 9 School P rogram s 43 5 10 9 22 9 15 8 28 7 30 8 Children 56 2 28 4 31 5 27 5 46 4 44 3 F riend s and N eighbors 43 5 40 2 42 4 40 3 49 2 44 3 Rank Order: l- - M o s t U s e d to 9 - - L e a s t U s e d 104 Grand R a p id s P r e s s a s a p r im a r y s o u r c e o f in fo r m a tio n ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls . W ith no p u b lic d id c h ild r e n rank b e lo w fifth . T he frien d and n e ig h b o r c a t e g o r y ra n k ed h ig h e s t w ith n o n - s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts , w h e r e a lm o s t o n e - h a lf (49%) s a id that th e y le a r n e d q uite a b it o r v e r y m u c h th ro u g h th is s o u r c e . P e r c e n t a g e s and ran k in gs o f f r ie n d s and n e ig h b o r s fo r th e o th e r p u b lic s w e r e a s fo llo w s: P u b lic s c h o o l, 43% (ra n k in g fifth ); C h r is tia n s c h o o l, 40% (ranking se c o n d ); p r e - s c h o o l, 40% (ra n k in g th ird ); and C a th o lic sc h o o l, 42% (ra n k in g fo u r th ). O v e r a ll, u s in g th e r e s p o n s e fr o m a ll p u b lic s , o th e r c o m ­ m u n ica tio n m e d ia w e r e ra n k ed a s fo llo w s : fifth --a r e a n ew sp a p ers, 35%; s ix th and s e v e n t h - - s c h o o l b u lle tin s and r a d io , 33%; e i g h t h - sc h o o l p r o g r a m s (in c lu d in g P T A ), 30%; and n in t h - - s p e e c h e s b y sc h o o l o f f ic ia ls , 22%. T h e r e a r e e x c e p tio n s to t h e s e o v e r a ll r a n k ­ in g s w ith in in d iv id u a l v o tin g p u b lic s . F o r in s t a n c e , C a th o lic s c h o o l re sp o n d en ts ra n k ed an a r e a n e w s p a p e r se c o n d o n ly to T he G rand R apids P r e s s a s a s o u r c e o f le a r n in g a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls (the C a th o lic D io c e s e in th e G rand R a p id s a r e a p u b lis h e s a w e e k ly n ew sp a p e r). P u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts ran k ed s c h o o l b u lle tin s fourth and s c h o o l p r o g r a m s fifth , both o f w h ich a r e v a r ia tio n s fr o m the o v e r a ll ra n k in g o f t h e s e m e d ia . T h e c a te g o r y " oth er" on th e q u e s tio n n a ir e w a s ch e c k e d 149 tim e s by p e r s o n s in a l l p u b lic s . U s in g a g a in th e tw o c a t e g o r ie s 105 of q uite a b it and v e r y m u c h a s b ein g in d ic a tiv e o f im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s of le a r n in g ab ou t the s c h o o ls , the id e n tific a tio n o f "oth er" c o m m u n i­ cation m e th o d s by v o tin g p u b lic w a s th e fo llo w in g : P u b lic s c h o o l. - - T h ir ty - th r e e p e r s o n s r e sp o n d e d in th e tw o c a te g o r ie s ; tw o p r im a r y s o u r c e s of in fo r m a tio n w e r e s c h o o l v i s i t a ­ tion s (lis t e d by fiv e r e sp o n d e n ts ) and t e a c h e r s and o th e r s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s ( lis t e d by s ix t e e n r e s p o n d e n ts ). O th er s o u r c e s w e r e attend ance a t B o a rd o f E d u ca tio n m e e t in g s , b ein g a s c h o o l v o lu n te e r , r e la tiv e , lo g ic , n e w s in g e n e r a l, s e e in g fo r m y s e lf , and in v o lv e m e n t in com m u n ity a g e n c ie s . C h r is tia n s c h o o l. - - N in e p e r s o n s re sp o n d e d in the tw o c a te g o r ie s ; the p r im a r y s o u r c e w a s t e a c h e r s and p r a c tic e t e a c h e r s (listed by s ix r e s p o n d e n ts ). O th er s o u r c e s w e r e c h u r c h e s and talking to B oard m e m b e r s . C a th o lic s c h o o ls . - - E l e v e n p e r s o n s re sp o n d e d in the tw o c a te g o r ie s ; the p r im a r y s o u r c e w a s s ta ff m e m b e r s ( lis t e d fiv e tim e s). O ther s o u r c e s w e r e b ea u ty sh o p , J u n io r A c h ie v e m e n t p rogram , B oard m e m b e r s , and U . S. N ew s and W orld R ep o rt. P r e - s c h o o l . - - F i v e p e r s o n s r e sp o n d ed in the tw o c a t e g o r ie s ; four of the fiv e lis t e d s t a ff m e m b e r s and one lis t e d a r c h it e c t s . 106 N o n - s c h o o l. - - E i g h t e e n p e r s o n s r e sp o n d e d in th e tw o c a t e g o r ie s ; th e p r im a r y s o u r c e s w e r e t e a c h e r s and a d m in is t r a t o r s (lis te d ten t im e s ) and stu d e n t t e a c h e r s ( lis t e d fo u r t im e s ) . O th er s o u r c e s in c lu d e d r e l a t i v e s , g r a n d c h ild r e n , e x p e r ie n c e a s a stu d e n t so m e y e a r s b a c k , and c u s t o m e r s . Tw o o th e r q u e s tio n s w e r e a s k e d r e s p o n d e n ts w h ic h r e la te d to the a r e a o f c o m m u n ic a tio n s . O ne q u e s tio n a sk e d i f th e y had h e a r d anything bad a b o u t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly , and th e o th e r a sk e d if th ey had h e a r d a n y th in g g o o d ab ou t th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly . If the r e s p o n d e n ts a n s w e r e d e it h e r q u e s tio n (o r both) in th e a f f ir m a ­ tiv e , s p a c e w a s p r o v id e d to id e n tify w h a t th e y had h e a r d . T he r e s p o n s e s o f th o s e w ho a n s w e r e d th e q u e s tio n s a f f ir m a t iv e ly and d e sc r ib e d w h a t th e y had h e a r d a r e c a t e g o r iz e d and p r e s e n te d in P a rt III of t h is c h a p te r . In T a b le s 4 - 2 8 and 4 - 2 9 th e n u m b er and p er c e n ta g e o f r e s p o n d e n ts b y v o tin g p u b lic w ho a n s w e r e d the q u e s ­ tion a r e r e p o r te d . It i s sh o w n in T a b le 4 - 2 8 th a t, o v e r a ll, 72% o f th e re sp o n d en ts had h e a r d s o m e th in g bad ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly . By votin g p u b lic t h e s e p e r c e n t a g e s r a n g e d fr o m a low o f 66% fo r n o n -sc h o o l p a r e n ts to a h ig h o f 77% fo r p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . The o th er p u b lic s f a ll w ith in t h e s e r a n g e s . In T a b le 4 -2 9 d a ta a r e provided ab ou t the r e s p o n d e n ts w ho had h ea rd a n y th in g good la t e ly about the s c h o o ls . O f a ll r e s p o n d e n ts , 5 6% had h e a r d so m e th in g T A B L E 4 -2 8 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents by Voting Public Who Have Heard Anything Bad about the Public Schools Lately Public School Y es No TOTAL Christian School Catholic School f % f % f % 283 77% 60 75% 90 68% 85 23 20 25 42 32 368 100% 80 100% 132 100% P reSchool NonSchool f % f 290 72% 35 125 A ll Respondents % f % 231 66% 754 72% 28 118 34 300 28 100% 349 100% 1,054 100% T A B L E 4 -2 9 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of Respondents by Voting Public Who Have Heard Anything Good about the Public Schools L ately Public School C hristian School C atholic School NonSchool P reSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % f % f % Y es 197 60% 47 64% 65 56% 67 57% 146 49% 522 56% No 134 40 26 36 52 44 51 43 154 51 417 44 TOTAL 331 100% 73 100% 117 100% 118 100% 300 100% 939 100% 1 09 good about th e s c h o o ls . A lm o s t tw o -th ir d s (64%) o f th e C h r istia n sc h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts had h ea rd s o m e th in g g o o d , w h ile fe w e r than o n e -h a lf (49%) of th e n o n - s c h o o l p a r e n ts had h ea rd an yth in g good . By co m p a rin g the tw o t a b le s , 4 - 2 8 and 4 - 2 9 , it i s n o tic e a b le that th ere w e r e c o n s id e r a b ly m o r e p e o p le w ho had h ea rd s o m e th in g bad about the s c h o o ls la t e ly than th e r e w e r e th o s e w ho had h ea rd s o m e ­ thing good ab ou t th e m . S um m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 3 The c o m m u n ic a tio n m ed iu m u s e d m o s t by c it iz e n s to le a r n about the p u b lic s c h o o ls in Grand R a p id s w a s the d a ily n e w sp a p e r , The Grand R a p id s P r e s s . Of th e r e s p o n d e n ts , 81% r e p o r te d l e a r n ­ ing q u ite a b it o r v e r y m u ch through th is m e d iu m . In rank o r d e r w ith e ig h t o th e r c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia , The G rand R a p id s P r e s s ranked f ir s t a s a s o u r c e of in fo r m a tio n ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls by a ll fiv e vo tin g p u b lic s . The t e le v is io n m e d iu m ranked s e c o n d am on g a ll r e sp o n d e n ts, fo llo w e d by c h ild r e n and fr ie n d s and n e ig h b o r s . School p r o g r a m s and s p e e c h e s by s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls r e p o r te d ly w e r e le a s t e ffe c tiv e in c o n v ey in g in fo r m a tio n to c it iz e n s ab ou t the p u b lic s c h o o ls by r e s p o n d e n ts fr o m a ll v o tin g p u b lic s . D if f e r e n c e s w ith in each votin g p u b lic in the ran k in g o f the v a r io u s m e d ia w e r e id e n tifie d . "Other" s o u r c e s of le a r n in g ab out the s c h o o ls w e r e id e n tifie d by no r e sp o n d e n ts in a d d itio n to th e n in e ty p e s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia assessed . S c h o o l e m p lo y e e s (in c lu d in g stu d en t t e a c h e r s ) w e r e c o n ­ s is te n t ly lis t e d a s a s o u r c e o f in fo r m a tio n ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls from r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s o f a l l v o tin g p u b lic s . T h e r e w a s no o th e r im p o rta n t s o u r c e o f in fo r m a tio n that w a s c o n s is t e n t ly r e p o r te d . T w o o th e r q u e s tio n s p e r ta in in g to c o m m u n ic a tio n s a sk e d the r e s p o n d e n ts i f th e y had h e a r d a n y th in g g o o d o r bad ab ou t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly . It w a s r e p o r te d th a t, o v e r a ll, 56% o f th o se r e sp o n d in g in d ic a te d th a t th e y had h e a r d s o m e th in g g o o d , w h ile 72% had h ea rd s o m e th in g b ad . C o n s id e r a b le v a r ia t io n s w ith in th e fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s w e r e r e p o r te d by th e r e s p o n d e n ts in a n s w e r in g th e se two q u e s t io n s . O f im p o r ta n c e , h o w e v e r , i s th e f a c t th a t c o n sid e r a b ly m o r e c i t iz e n s o v e r a ll had h e a r d so m e th in g bad ab ou t the s c h o o ls la t e ly than had h e a r d s o m e th in g g o o d . T h is w a s c o n ­ s is te n t ly s o in a l l v o tin g p u b lic s . R e se a r c h Q u e s tio n 4 W hat d e g r e e o f fin a n c ia l su p p o r t can b e a n tic ip a te d fr o m e a c h v o tin g p u b lic ? T he a n s w e r s to R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 4 w e r e so u g h t by a sk in g the r e sp o n d e n ts the fo llo w in g : I ll H o w d o y o u f e e l a b o u t th e s c h o o l t a x e s in G r a n d R a p id s c o m p a r e d to o t h e r s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s ? How h a v e you v o ted in p a s t s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s ? How lik e ly i s it th at you w ou ld v o te to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l o f lo c a l m illa g e fo r s c h o o l o p e r a tio n ? The fin a l q u e stio n a sk e d r e sp o n d e n ts w a s w h e th e r th ey would v o te y e s o r n o i f a d d itio n a l m illa g e w e r e r e q u e s te d fo r c e r ta in sp e c ifie d p u r p o s e s . E le v e n su c h p u r p o s e s w e r e id e n tifie d . T h ese included s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n p r o g r a m s , an exp an d ed a th le tic p r o g r a m , new sc h o o l b u ild in g s , in d o o r sw im m in g p o o ls , h ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a la r ie s , s m a lle r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n , a d u lt tr a d e p r o g r a m s , ad u lt re m e d ia l p r o g r a m s , m o r e in d iv id u a liz e d in s tr u c tio n , an ex ten d ed sch o o l y e a r fo r s tu d e n ts, and e x ten d ed u s e of s c h o o ls fo r a ll c it iz e n s . As in the p r io r r e s e a r c h q u e s tio n s , the d ata a r e p r e s e n te d b y f r e ­ quency and p e r c e n ta g e of r e sp o n d e n ts by v o tin g p u b lic . In s e le c t e d q u estio n s the v a r ia b le s of le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , p r o p e r ty ow nersh ip , w ork id e n tific a tio n , p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a ffa ir s, and len g th of r e s id e n c e w e r e a s s e s s e d fo r th e ir in flu e n c e upon the vo tin g h a b its o f the r e s p o n d e n ts . In T a b le s 4 - 3 0 th rou gh 4 -4 8 data fo r R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 4 a r e s u m m a r iz e d . R ep o rted in T a b le 4 - 3 0 i s a su m m a r y o f how the r e s p o n ­ dents by v o tin g p u b lic f e e l about th e le v e l of s c h o o l ta x e s in G rand R apids co m p a red to o th e r d is t r ic t s . In T a b le s 4^-31, 4 - 3 2 , and 4 -3 3 T A B L E 4 -3 0 F e e lin g o f R e sp o n d en ts b y V otin g P u b lic abou t S ch o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C om p ared to O th er S ch o o l D is t r ic t s Public School C hristian School C atholic School NonSchool P reSchool % f % f % f Too High 83 22% 14 17% 47 38% 11 Too Low 54 14 11 13 4 3 25 About Right 246 64 59 70 74 59 TOTAL 383 100% 84 100% 125 100% % f % f % 95 27% 250 24% 21 27 8 121 11 86 70 231 65 696 65 122 100% 353 100% 9% 1,067 100% 112 f A ll R espondents 113 the sa m e q u e stio n i s a n a ly z e d u sin g th e v a r ia b le s o f le v e l o f sc h o o lin g , w ork id e n tific a tio n , and p r o p e r ty o w n e r s h ip , r e s p e c ­ tiv e ly . B y v o tin g p u b lic it a p p e a r s th a t ab out t w o - t h ir d s of th o se resp on d in g o v e r a ll f e lt that s c h o o l ta x e s in G rand R a p id s a r e ab out right. T he p u b lic s r e p o r tin g the h ig h e s t p e r c e n ta g e w ith th is f e e lin g w ere C h r istia n s c h o o l and p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts w ith 70%. The lo w est w a s in the C a th o lic s c h o o l p u b lic , w ith 59% r e sp o n d in g in this m a n n e r . A g r e a t e r p e r c e n ta g e (38%) of C a th o lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d en ts than any o th e r p u b lic f e lt th a t t a x e s a r e to o h ig h . Only 3% o f C a th o lic r e sp o n d e n ts f e lt th a t t a x e s a r e too low . Of the p r e - s c h o o l p u b lic , 9% f e lt that th e s c h o o l ta x e s a r e too h igh, w hile 21% o f the s a m e p u b lic f e lt th at ta x e s a r e too lo w . T h is i s the h ig h e s t p e r c e n ta g e o f any p u b lic w ho in d ic a te d th a t th e y f e lt ta x es w e r e too lo w . T he o v e r a ll p e r c e n ta g e fo r a ll p u b lic s w ho felt that ta x e s w e r e too low w a s 1 1%, About o n e -fo u r th o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts --a c tu a lly 2 4%- - f e l t that s c h o o l t a x e s w e r e to o h igh . T he s a m e q u e stio n w a s b rok en down by le v e l o f s c h o o lin g com p leted b y the r e s p o n d e n ts . A t e a c h le v e l of s c h o o lin g th e p e r ­ cen ta g es o f r e sp o n d e n ts w ho f e lt t a x e s a r e ab out r ig h t w e r e q u ite constant ( o v e r a ll 65%). The le v e l o f s c h o o lin g a p p e a r s to be a factor am ong the r e sp o n d e n ts w ho f e lt th a t t a x e s w e r e e ith e r too high o r to o low . O f the r e sp o n d e n ts w ith l e s s than a h ig h s c h o o l TA BL E 4 -3 1 F eelin g of Respondents by L evel of Schooling about School Taxes in Grand Rapids Compared to Other School D istr ic ts L e ss than High School % Too High 75 Too Low C ollege Graduate or More f % f 35% 150 26% 25 10 5 46 8 65 About Right 126 60 378 66 TOTAL 211 100% 574 100% % A ll Respondents f % 250 24% 24 121 11 185 67 689 65 275 100% 9% 1,060 100% 114 f High School or High School P lu s Two Y ears of C ollege 115 ed u cation , 35% f e l t t a x e s a r e to o h ig h . T h is p e r c e n ta g e w a s o n ly 26% w ith the g ro u p w ho had c o m p le te d h ig h s c h o o l o r tw o y e a r s of c o lle g e and d e c r e a s e d to 9% o f th o s e r e sp o n d in g w h o a r e c o lle g e g r a d u a te s. too lo w . C o n v e r s e ly , 24% o f c o lle g e g r a d u a te s f e l t th a t t a x e s a r e O nly 8% o f th o s e w ith a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n o r tw o y e a r s of c o lle g e f e lt th e s a m e w a y , and 5% o f th o s e w ho had c o m p le te d le s s than a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n in d ic a te d th e s a m e f e e lin g . O th er r e s p o n s e s to t h is q u e s tio n a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 3 2 , w here w o rk id e n tific a tio n s a r e c o m p a r e d , and in T a b le 4 - 3 3 , in w hich r e s p o n s e s to t h is q u e s tio n a r e r e la t e d to p r o p e r ty o w n e r sh ip . The p e r c e n ta g e r a n g e o f r e s p o n d e n ts f e e lin g t a x e s a r e to o h ig h by work c a te g o r y e x te n d e d fr o m a low of 6% in th e p r o f e s s io n a l c a t e ­ gory to a h ig h o f 73% in t h o s e c la s s if y in g t h e m s e lv e s a s u n e m p lo y e d . A h ig h er p e r c e n ta g e of u n s k ille d la b o r e r s , c r a ft s m a n - fo r e m a n , and r e tir e d r e s p o n d e n ts ra ted G rand R a p id s t a x e s to o h ig h than did the o th e r w ork c a t e g o r ie s o f b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , s e r v i c e w o r k e r s, and h o u s e w iv e s . T h e r e w a s c o n s is t e n c y a m o n g the v a r io u s w o rk c a t e g o r ie s of th o s e f e e lin g th a t s c h o o l t a x e s a r e ab ou t right. O nly w ith the c a t e g o r ie s o f u n e m p lo y e d , w h e r e 20% f e e l th a t taxes a r e ab ou t r ig h t, and s e r v i c e e m p lo y e e s , w h e r e t h is fig u r e r is e s to 81%, i s th e r e c o n s id e r a b le v a r ia tio n fr o m th e o v e r a ll r e sp o n se o f 66%. A p p r o x im a te ly th e s a m e p e r c e n ta g e (23%) o f 116 T A B L E 4 -3 2 F e e lin g o f R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork I d e n tific a tio n a b o u t S c h o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C o m p a re d to O th e r S c h o o l D i s t r i c t s P r o f e s s io n a l T o o H igh T o o Low f f % f % 21 21% 72 73% % 6 6% T o ta l A b ou t R ig h t f % 99 100% B u s in e s s M a n a g eria l 25 10 40 16 185 74 250 100 S ales 41 20 20 10 142 70 203 100 C r a fts m a n F o rem a n 27 27 8 8 66 65 101 100 U n sk illed L ab o rer 36 29 7 6 79 65 122 100 S e r v ic e W orker 7 19 0 0 29 81 36 100 R etired 4 28 1 6 10 66 15 100 U nem p loyed 60 73 6 7 16 20 82 100 H ou sew ife 13 21 9 15 40 64 62 100 Other 20 25 6 7 25 68 81 100 11% 694 A ll R esp on d en ts 239 23% 118 66% 1, 051 100% 117 p ro p erty o r n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s f e e l th a t t a x e s a r e to o h ig h . i s illu s t r a t e d in T a b le 4 - 3 3 . T h is C o n s id e r a b ly m o r e n o n -p r o p e r ty ow n ers (23%) than p r o p e r ty o w n e r s (10%) f e l t th a t s c h o o l t a x e s a r e too low . T A B L E 4 -3 3 F e e lin g o f R e sp o n d e n ts by P r o p e r ty O w n e r sh ip a b o u t S c h o o l T a x e s in G rand R a p id s C o m p a r e d to O th e r S c h o o l D i s t r i c t s T o o H igh T o o Low f % f % 2 3% 94 10% 23 23 23 P ro p er ty O w ners 218 N onP ro p er ty O w ners 23 A ll R esp on d en ts 241 23% 117 11% A b ou t R ig h t T o ta l f % f 640 67% 952 100% 54 102 100 56 696 66% 1 ,0 5 4 % 100% T h e q u e s tio n o f how r e s p o n d e n ts v o te d in p a s t s c h o o l m illa g e e le c tio n s i s r e p o r te d in T a b le s 4 - 3 4 th ro u g h 4 - 3 7 . voting p u b lic i s p r e s e n te d in T a b le 4 - 3 4 . An a n a ly s is by T he p e r c e n ta g e o f th o s e who r e p o r te d ly v o te d fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s ra n g ed from a high o f 78% o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts to a low of 56% o f C atholic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . O f C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 40% T A B L E 4 -3 4 How R espondents by Voting P ublic Voted in P a st M illage E lection s Public School Catholic School P reSchool f % f % f % f % 304 78% 64 70% 77 56% 74 58% N onSchool f 264 A ll R espondents % f % 71% 783 70% Voted A gainst 57 14 23 25 56 40 31 24 81 22 248 22 Didn* t Vote 30 8 5 5 5 4 23 18 23 7 88 8 391 100% 92 100% 100% 128 100% 370 100% TOTAL 138 1,119 100% 118 Voted For C hristian School T A B L E 4 -3 5 How R e sp o n d en ts b y L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g V oted in P a s t M illa g e E le c t io n s L e ss than High School f % High School or High School P lu s Two Y ea rs of C ollege f % C ollege Graduate or More f A ll Respondents f % 88% 772 70% 119 % Voted For 130 60% 388 65% 254 Voted A gainst 55 26 158 26 28 10 241 22 Didn' t Vote 30 14 49 9 7 2 86 8 TOTAL 215 100% 595 100% 289 100% 1, 099 100% 120 rep o r te d th a t th e y v o ted a g a in s t a p p r o v in g o p e r a tin g m illa g e s in the p a st. T h e h ig h e s t p e r c e n ta g e o f th o s e w ho did n o t v o te in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s r e s id e in th e p r e - s c h o o l c a t e g o r y , w h e r e 18% in d ica ted th a t th e y g e n e r a lly had n o t v o te d . The v a r ia b le o f le v e l of s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d and i t s e f f e c t on h ow r e s p o n d e n ts v o te d in p a st m illa g e e l e c t io n s i s c o m p ile d in T a b le 4 - 3 5 . It m a y b e s u m ­ m a r iz e d by s ta tin g th at the h ig h e r the l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , the g r e a t e r w a s the lik e lih o o d th a t th e r e s p o n d e n ts v o te d fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e l e c t io n s . O f th o s e w ith l e s s than h ig h s c h o o l, 60% in d ica ted th e y had v o ted fa v o r a b ly . T he fa v o r a b le v o te r o s e to 65% of th o se w ith a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n o r tw o y e a r s o f c o lle g e and to 88% of th o s e w ho had c o m p le te d c o l le g e . T h e p e r c e n ta g e of th o s e who did not v o te d e c r e a s e d a s the l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d in c r e a s e s , e x te n d in g fr o m a low o f 2% of th o s e w ith c o lle g e d e g r e e s to a high o f 14% o f th o s e w ith l e s s than a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n . P a r t ic ip a t io n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s w a s a n o th e r v a r ia b le u sed in a s s e s s i n g th e p a s t v o tin g r e c o r d s o f r e s p o n d e n ts . T he am ount of p a r tic ip a tio n did a p p e a r to h a v e an e f f e c t on th e w a y re sp o n d en ts v o te d . T h is i s sh o w n in T a b le 4 - 3 6 , w h e r e it i s o b ser v ed th a t 28% o f th o s e w ho had p a r tic ip a te d in p u b lic s c h o o l a ffa ir s l e s s than th r e e t im e s had v o te d a g a in s t p r e v io u s m illa g e is s u e s , c o m p a r e d to 16% o f th o s e w ho had p a r tic ip a te d m o r e than 121 th ree t im e s . T h e p e r c e n ta g e o f th o s e w ho did not v o te w a s a lm o s t id e n tic a l r e g a r d le s s o f th e e x te n t o f p a r tic ip a tio n . T A B L E 4 -3 6 H ow R e s p o n d e n ts by A m o u n t o f P a r t ic ip a t io n in P u b lic S c h o o l A ffa ir s V o ted in P a s t M illa g e E le c t io n s V o ted For f % 0 - 1 -2 T im e s 383 64% M ore than 3 T im e s 378 77 A ll R esp o n d en ts 7 61 70% V oted A g a in s t T o ta l D id n 't V ote f % f 161 28% 50 8% 594 100% 16 36 7 495 100 22% 86 8% 81 242 % f 1, 089 % 100% T he s a m e q u e s tio n w a s a n a ly z e d by w o rk id e n tific a tio n and is r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 3 7 . T h o s e m o s t s u p p o r tiv e o f p a s t s c h o o l m illa g e s c l a s s i f y t h e m s e lv e s in th e p r o f e s s io n a l c a te g o r y (89% voted fo r ), b u s i n e s s - m a n a g e r ia l (85% v o te d fo r ), s a l e s (85% v oted for), and c r a f t s m a n - f o r e m a n (w ith 60% w h o in d ic a te d th a t th e y had voted fa v o r a b ly ). T h o se l e a s t s u p p o r tiv e w e r e u n s k ille d la b o r e r s , r e t i r e e s , and u n e m p lo y e d . In t h e s e c a t e g o r ie s the p e r c e n t a g e s of th ose w ho in d ic a te d s u p p o r t in p a s t e le c t io n s d ro p p ed to a lm o s t 40%. 122 TABLE 4-37 How R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork I d e n tific a tio n V oted in P a s t M illa g e E le c t io n s V oted For P r o f e s s io n a l V oted A g a in s t f % f 98 89% 10 % 9% T o ta l D id n f t V ote f % f % 2 2% 110 100% B u s in e s s M a n a g eria l 219 85 26 10 9 5 254 100 S a les 185 85 25 11 8 4 218 100 C r a fts m a n F o rem a n 67 60 33 30 11 10 111 100 U n sk illed L ab orer 52 41 58 45 18 14 128 100 S e r v ic e W orker 20 56 14 39 2 5 36 100 R etired 6 40 7 47 2 13 15 100 U nem p loyed 36 43 40 48 8 9 85 100 H ou sew ife 34 55 13 21 15 24 62 100 Other 58 70 15 18 10 12 83 100 22% 85 A ll R esp on d en ts 775 70% 241 8% 1, 101 100% 123 The h o u s e w ife c a te g o r y i s an in t e r e s t in g on e to a s s e s s . W h ile 55% o f th o s e r e sp o n d in g in d ic a te d th a t th e y had v o te d fa v o r a b ly , a h ig h e r p e r c e n ta g e (24%) than an y o th e r c a t e g o r y d id n 't v o te in p a s t e le c t io n s . A n o th e r p h a s e o f th e q u e s tio n r e la tin g to f in a n c ia l su p p o r t a sk ed r e s p o n d e n ts how lik e ly i t i s th a t th e y w ou ld v o te to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t l e v e l o f lo c a l m illa g e fo r s c h o o l o p e r a t io n s . In T ab le 4 - 3 8 t h is q u e s tio n i s s u m m a r iz e d b y v o tin g p u b lic , and th e r e s p o n s e s a r e g ro u p ed in th r e e c a t e g o r i e s - - v e r y lik e ly , so m e w h a t lik e ly , and n o t lik e ly . O v e r a ll 56% o f a l l r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a te d th at they v e r y lik e ly w ou ld v o te to co n tin u e th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e . The ra n g e e x te n d e d fr o m a h ig h o f 65% o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts to a low o f 42% o f C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . S ix ty -tw o p e r c e n t o f p ub lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 52% o f n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , and 51% o f C h r istia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts m a r k e d the co lu m n v e r y lik e ly and c o m ­ p leted the r e p o r tin g o f th e v o tin g p u b lic s on t h is q u e s tio n . T h e s a m e q u e s tio n w a s a s s e s s e d u s in g o th e r v a r ia b le s . The f i r s t o f t h e s e w a s by l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d and i s illu s tr a te d by T a b le 4 - 3 9 . T he c a t e g o r ie s o f s o m e w h a t lik e ly and not lik e ly a r e co m b in ed fo r a n a ly s is p u r p o s e s and a r e c o m p a r e d to the p e r c e n ta g e o f r e s p o n d e n ts m a r k in g th e v e r y lik e ly co lu m n . An a n a ly s is o f T a b le 4 - 3 9 r e v e a ls th at 48% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w ith T A B L E 4 -3 8 L ik elih o o d o f R esp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic to V ote to C ontinue the P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a tio n s Public School f V ery Likely 241 C hristian School C atholic School P reSchool % f % f % f % 62% 46 51% 59 42% 81 65% NonSchool f A ll R espondents % f % 192 52% 619 56% Somewhat Likely 69 18 19 - 21 47 34 19 15 116 31 270 24 Not Likely 78 20 25 28 33 24 24 20 63 17 223 20 388 100% 90 100% 139 100% 124 100% TOTAL 371 100% 1,112 100% TA BL E 4 -3 9 L ik elih o o d o f R e sp o n d en ts by L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g to V o te to C ontinue the P r e s e n t L e v e l of L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a tio n s L e ss than High School High School or High School P lu s Two Y ears of C ollege C ollege Graduate or M ore A ll R espondents f % f % f % f % Very Likely 98 48% 311 52% 203 70% 612 56% Som ewhatNot Likely 106 52 277 48 30 468 44 TOTAL 204 100% 588 100% 85 288 100% 1,0 8 0 100% 126 l e s s than a h ig h s c h o o l e d u c a tio n w e r e v e r y lik e ly to v o te to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e . T h e v e r y lik e l y f ig u r e in c r e a s e d to 52% o f th o s e c it iz e n s w ith h igh s c h o o l o r tw o y e a r s o f c o lle g e , and to 70% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w ho w e r e c o l le g e g r a d u a te s . It w o u ld ap p ear fr o m th is d a ta th a t th e h ig h e r th e l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g th a t th e r e sp o n d e n ts h a v e c o m p le te d , the g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d o f t h e ir votin g to c o n tin u e th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f o p e r a tin g m illa g e . W ork id e n tific a tio n w a s a s e c o n d v a r ia b le u s e d to a s s e s s the lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o t e th e c o n tin u a tio n o f th e p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e . T h e s a m e c o m b in a tio n o f r e s p o n s e s i s r e p o r te d in T ab le 4 - 4 0 fo r t h is v a r ia b le a s T a b le 4 - 3 9 r e f le c t e d fo r th e le v e l of sc h o o lin g c o m p le te d . A n a n a ly s is o f T a b le 4 - 4 0 r e v e a ls th at th e w ork c l a s s if ic a t io n s o f p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s i n e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, and s a le s a r e th e o n e s m o s t lik e ly to c o n tin u e th e p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e . T h e s e w o rk c a t e g o r ie s o f r e s p o n d e n ts e x c e e d e d th e o v e r ­ a ll fig u r e o f 55% fr o m a l l p u b lic s w h o in d ic a te d th e y w o u ld v e r y lik e ly c o n tin u e th e p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e . R e s p o n d e n ts c l a s s i f y ­ ing t h e m s e lv e s a s u n s k ille d la b o r e r s and u n e m p lo y e d w e r e l e a s t lik e ly to v o te a c o n tin u a tio n . C r a ftsm e n -fo r e m e n , s e r v ic e w o r k e r s, h o u s e w iv e s , r e t i r e e s , and "oth er" t y p e s o f e m p lo y m e n t a r e a b o u t eq u a lly d iv id e d b e tw e e n th e c o lu m n s v e r y lik e ly and s o m e w h a t-n o t lik e ly . " 127 TABLE 4 -4 0 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts by W ork I d e n tific a tio n to V o te to C ontinue the P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a tio n s V ery L ik e ly P r o f e s s io n a l S o m ew h a t N ot L ik e ly T o ta l f % f % f 70 64% 40 36% 110 100% % B u s in e s s -M a n a g e r ia l 162 63 96 37 258 100 S ales 149 67 73 33 222 100 C ra ftsm a n - F o r e m a n 54 48 58 52 112 100 U n sk illed L a b o r e r 49 37 84 63 133 100 S erv ice W o rk er 16 50 16 50 32 100 8 53 7 47 15 100 U nem p loyed 30 36 53 64 83 100 H ou sew ife 30 48 32 52 62 100 Other 42 49 43 51 85 100 610 55 502 45 1, 112 R etired A ll R esp o n d e n ts I 100% 128 T he s a m e q u e s tio n r e la tin g to c o n tin u a tio n o f th e p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e w a s a ls o a s s e s s e d b y p r o p e r ty o w n e r sh ip , le n g th of r e s id e n c e , and p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s . data a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le s 4 - 4 1 , 4 - 4 2 , and 4 - 4 3 . T h ese O f p r o p e r ty o w n e r s, 56% w e r e v e r y lik e ly to co n tin u e p r e s e n t m illa g e , w h ile th is p e r c e n ta g e o f n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s d ro p p ed to 49%, a s r e v e a le d in T a b le 4 - 4 1 . T A B L E 4 -4 1 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts b y P r o p e r t y O w n e r sh ip to V o te to C o n tin u e th e P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e f o r S c h o o l O p e r a tio n s V ery L ik e ly P r o p e r ty O w n e r s N o n -P r o p e r ty O w n e r s A ll R e sp o n d e n ts S o m e w h a tN o t L ik e ly T o ta l f % f % f 561 56% 4 38 44% 999 100% 51 105 100 52 631 49 55% 53 491 45% 1, 104 % 100% C o n v e r se ly , 44% o f p r o p e r ty o w n e r s and 51% o f n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s are s o m e w h a t-n o t lik e ly to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l. It i s d e m o n s tr a te d in T a b le 4 -4 2 th a t r e s p o n d e n ts w h o h ave r e sid e d in G rand R a p id s fr o m 2 -5 y e a r s a r e m o s t lik e ly to su p p o rt 129 a con tin u a tio n o f m illa g e . Of t h e s e r e s p o n d e n ts , 69% in d ic a te d th at th ey v e r y lik e ly w ould v o te su ch su p p o r t. W ith th o s e r e s id in g in Grand R a p id s 5 - 1 0 y e a r s th e fig u r e in th e v e r y lik e ly co lu m n dropped to 58%. T h o se r e sp o n d e n ts h a v in g r e s id e d in G rand R a p id s l e s s than 2 y e a r s .w e r e the le a s t lik e ly o f a n y g ro u p to b e su p p o r tiv e . Only 40% o f th is g ro u p m a rk ed th e v e r y lik e ly co lu m n . TA B L E 4 -4 2 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts by L en gth of R e s id e n c e to V ote to C ontinue th e P r e s e n t L e v e l of L o c a l M illa g e fo r S ch o o l O p e r a tio n s V ery L ik e ly S o m ew h a t N o t L ik e ly T o ta l f % f % f % 1 -2 Y e a r s 11 40% 17 60% 28 100% 2 -5 Y e a r s 33 69 15 31 48 100 5 -10 Y e a r s 40 58 29 42 56 100 M ore than 10 Y e a r s 527 55 427 45 954 100 A ll R esp o n d e n ts 611 56% 488 44% 1 ,0 9 9 100% P a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s and i t s e f f e c t upon the lik elih o o d of r e sp o n d e n ts to v o te a co n tin u a tio n o f m illa g e i s rep orted in T a b le 4 - 4 3 . P a r tic ip a tio n d o e s a p p e a r to h a v e an e f f e c t 130 upon v o t e r b e h a v io r . O f r e s p o n d e n ts w ho p a r tic ip a te d in s c h o o l a f fa ir s m o r e than th r e e t im e s l a s t y e a r , 61% w e r e v e r y lik e ly to con tin u e th e p r e s e n t m illa g e . T h o s e w ho p a r tic ip a te d n ot a t a ll o r 1 -2 t im e s w e r e a lm o s t e q u a lly d iv id e d b e tw e e n b e in g v e r y lik e ly and s o m e w h a t-n o t lik e ly , w ith 51% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts in t h is g ro u p in d ic a tin g th e y w ou ld b e v e r y lik e ly to co n tin u e th e p r e s e n t l e v e l of su p p o rt. TABLE 4 -4 3 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts by A m o u n t o f P a r tic ip a tio n in P u b lic S c h o o l A ff a ir s to V o te to C ontinue the P r e s e n t L e v e l o f L o c a l M illa g e fo r S c h o o l O p e r a tio n s V ery L ik e ly S o m e w h a tN o t L ik e ly f % f N one a t A ll or 1-2 T im e s 307 51% 3 -1 0 T im e s or M ore than 10 T im e s 299 A ll R e sp o n d e n ts 606 T o ta l % f 2 88 49% 595 100% 61 186 39 485 100 5 6% 474 44% 1, 080 % 100% 131 T h e fin a l q u e s tio n a sk e d r e s p o n d e n ts r e la t in g to fin a n c ia l su p p o rt a s s e s s e d t h e ir lik e lih o o d to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c ifie d p u r p o s e s . T h is q u e s tio n w a s f i r s t a n a ly z e d by v o tin g p u b lic fo r a l l o f the p u r p o s e s id e n tifie d e a r l i e r in t h is c h a p te r . One o f t h e s e p u r p o s e s (e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s ) w a s fu r th e r a n a ly z e d u sin g the v a r ia b le s o f p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s , le n g th of r e s id e n c e , le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , and w o rk id e n tific a tio n of the r e s p o n d e n ts . T h e lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts b y v o tin g p u b lic to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 4 4 . O v e r a ll, the r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a te d th a t th e p u r p o s e s fo r w h ich th e y a re m o s t lik e ly to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e a r e s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n p r o g r a m s (82% r e p lie d " Y es" ); ex te n d e d u s e o f s c h o o ls f o r a ll c itiz e n s (70% r e p lie d " Y e s" ); m o r e in d iv id u a liz e d in s t r u c t io n (64% r e p lie d " Y es" ); s m a lle r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n (66% r e p lie d " Y es" ); adult r e m e d ia l p r o g r a m s (62% r e p lie d " Y es" ); n ew s c h o o l b u ild in g s (61% r e p lie d " Y es" ); and a d u lt tr a d e p r o g r a m s (59% r e p lie d " Y e s" ). The p u r p o s e s fo r w h ich r e s p o n d e n ts fr o m a ll p u b lic s w e r e l e s s lik e ly to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e a r e h ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s (49% r e p lie d "Y es" ); an ex te n d e d s c h o o l y e a r fo r stu d e n ts (40% r e p lie d "Y es"); and in d o o r s w im m in g p o o ls (24% r e p lie d " Y e s" ). The p u rp o se le a s t lik e ly to r e c e iv e e n d o r s e m e n t by v o t e r s fo r a d d itio n a l TABLE 4-44 Likelihood of Respondents by Voting Public to Vote Additional Millage for Specified Purposes Public School Yes No f % f % Christian School No Yes f Special Education 297 78% 82 22% 64 Athletic Program 93 25 274 75 3 252 68 119 32 46 NewSchools Indoor Swimming Pools 127 34 245 66 12 % f % Catholic School Yes No f % f % Pre-School Yes No f % f % Non-School Yes f % Total No f No Yes % f % f % 73% 23 27% 109 80% 28 20% 114 89% 14 11% 307 88% 43 12% 891 82% 190 18% 3 85 97 30 23 101 77 23 19 101 81 61 18 277 82 210 20 839 80 54 39 46 49 41 70 59 87 73 33 27 183 56 141 44 617 61 402 39 13 77 87 12 9 115 91 40 33 83 67 59 17 279 83 250 24 799 76 Higher Employee Salaries 168 48 Smaller Classes 275 73 180 52 41 47 47 53 61 49 63 51 82 67 41 33 150 45 184 55 502 49 515 51 103 27 43 51 42 49 53 43 71 57 94 77 28 23 214 66 110 34 679 66 354 34 Adult Trade Programs Adult Remedial Program 215 56 166 44 38 44 48 56 74 57 56 43 78 62 47 38 226 66 117 34 631 59 434 41 200 54 168 46 47 56 37 44 73 56 58 44 86 67 42 33 240 72 93 28 646 62 398 38 More Individualized Instruction 246 68 118 32 42 54 36 46 68 52 64 48 89 70 39 30 210 65 111 35 655 64 368 36 Extended School Year 135 38 223 62 31 36 55 64 40 31 89 69 53 42 73 58 154 48 168 52 413 40 608 60 ExtendedUse of School for Citizens 251 67 122 33 47 56 37 44 86 67 43 33 101 79 27 21 245 73 90 27 730 70 318 30 133 m illa g e i s an exp an d ed a t h le tic p r o g r a m . "Yes" v o te fo r t h is p u r p o se . O n ly 20% in d ic a te d a T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l c o n c e n s u s a m on g the v o tin g p u b lic s in the w a y in w h ich the r e s p o n d e n ts r e p lie d to the voting o f a d d itio n a l m illa g e . G e n e r a lly , the p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e m o r e in c lin e d to v o te a d d itio n a l m o n ie s fo r th e p u r p o s e s s p e c ifie d . A la r g e r p e r c e n ta g e o f the p r e - s c h o o l p u b lic than any oth er grou p r e p lie d " Y es" fo r new s c h o o l b u ild in g s, h ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a la r ie s , s m a lle r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n , m o r e in d iv id u a liz e d i n s t r u c ­ tion, and ex ten d ed u s e o f th e s c h o o ls fo r a ll c i t iz e n s . E s p e c ia lly n otab le w a s the r e s p o n s e o f th e p r e - s c h o o l g ro u p to v o tin g a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r h ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . O f th e fiv e p u b lic s th e y w e r e the o n ly one in w h ich m o r e than o n e - h a lf of th e r e sp o n d e n ts in d i­ cated that th ey w ou ld v o te a d d itio n a l m o n e y f o r th is p u r p o se . A ctu a lly , 67% of t h is g ro u p r e p o r te d ly w ould su p p o r t a d d itio n a l m illa g e s fo r h ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . C o n v e r s e ly , C a th o lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d en ts w e r e the o n ly g ro u p in w h ich m o r e than o n e - h a lf o f th e resp o n d en ts in d ic a te d th a t th e y w ou ld n o t v o te a d d itio n a l m o n ie s fo r new s c h o o l b u ild in g s and s m a lle r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n . H ig h e r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s w a s s e le c t e d a s th e p u r p o se to w hich to ap p ly the o th e r v a r ia b le s fo r th e ir e f f e c t upon th e lik e lih o o d of r e sp o n d e n ts to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e . In m o s t s c h o o l d is t r ic t s em p lo y ee s a l a r i e s c o m p r is e b e tw e e n 70% to 80% o f the to ta l o p era tin g 134 b u d get. T h e r e f o r e , in a n y e le c t io n in w h ic h a B o a r d o f E d u c a tio n i s r e q u e s tin g a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s , i t i s d i f f i ­ cu lt to m in im iz e th e u s e o f t h e s e m o n ie s fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . O v e r a ll, the p e r c e n t a g e s o f r e s p o n d e n ts by v o tin g p u b lic w ho in d ica ted th a t th e y w o u ld v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a la r ie s w e r e q u ite s i m i l a r . T h e e x c e p tio n w a s p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n t s , w ho w e r e m e n tio n e d p r e v io u s ly . T o ta lly the r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e about e q u a lly d iv id e d b e tw e e n y e s (49%) and no (51%). T h er efo re , it s e e m e d im p o r ta n t to know w h e th e r th e o th e r v a r ia b le s o f p a r ­ tic ip a tio n , le n g th o f r e s id e n c e , le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , and type of w o rk p e r fo r m e d co u ld p r o v id e a d d itio n a l d a ta r e la tin g to th is im p o r ta n t e x p e n d itu r e . P a r t ic ip a t io n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s and i t s e f f e c t u pon the lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a la r ie s i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 4 5 . O f th o s e r e s p o n d e n ts r e p o r tin g that th ey p a r tic ip a te d in s c h o o l a f f a ir s th r e e t im e s o r m o r e d u r in g the p a st y e a r , 56% in d ic a te d th a t th e y w ou ld v o te " Y e s . 11 O n ly 44% of the r e s p o n d e n ts w h o p a r tic ip a te d f e w e r than th r e e t im e s d u rin g the sa m e p e r io d o f tim e r e p o r te d that th e y w ou ld v o te a d d itio n a l m on ey fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . L en g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s and i t s e f f e c t u pon th e lik elih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o te m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s i s 135 T A B L E 4 -4 5 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts b y A m o u n t of P a r tic ip a tio n in P u b lic S ch o o l A ffa ir s to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s Y es f T o ta l No % f % f % None or 1 -2 T im e s 231 43% 301 57% 532 100% 3 T im e s o r M o r e 252 56 202 44 454 100 A ll R esp o n d e n ts 483 49% 503 51% 986 100% T A B L E 4 -4 6 L ik e lih o o d o f R e sp o n d e n ts by L ength o f R e s id e n c e to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s T o ta l No Y es f % 1-2 Y e a r s 17 65% 2 -5 Y e a r s 35 77 5 -1 0 Y e a r s 42 M ore than 10 Y e a r s A ll R esp o n d en ts f % f % 35% 26 100% 10 23 45 100 65 23 35 65 100 400 46 470 54 870 100 494 49% 512 51% 9 1, 006 100% 136 illu s tr a te d in T a b le 4 - 4 6 . O th e r than th e n e w e r r e s id e n t g ro u p (1 -2 y e a r s ) , in w h ic h 65% in d ic a te th e y w ou ld c a s t fa v o r a b le v o t e s , the p e r c e n ta g e o f r e s id e n t s w ho w o u ld v o te a d d itio n a l m o n e y fo r s a la r ie s d im in is h e s a s the le n g th o f r e s id e n c e i n c r e a s e s . In the 2 -5 y e a r r e s id e n c e c a t e g o r y , 77% in d ic a te a lik e lih o o d o f c a s tin g a fa v o r a b le v o te , w h ile in th e 5 - 1 0 y e a r b r a c k e t th is p e r c e n ta g e i s 65%. O f th o s e r e s p o n d e n ts w ho h a v e r e s id e d m o r e than 10 y e a r s in G rand R a p id s, th at fig u r e d e c r e a s e d to 46%. T h e le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d by r e s p o n d e n ts w a s the next v a r ia b le a s s e s s e d fo r i t s e f f e c t on th e v o tin g h a b its o f c it iz e n s . T h ese data a r e s u m m a r iz e d in T a b le 4 - 4 7 . It w ou ld a p p e a r th at the e ffe c t o f s c h o o lin g m a y be s u m m a r iz e d by s ta tin g that th e h ig h e r the le v e l o f s c h o o lin g , th e g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to vote a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . E v id e n c e o f th is i s that o n ly 37% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts p o s s e s s i n g l e s s than a h ig h s c h o o l ed u cation w ou ld v o te f o r a d d itio n a l m o n ie s , w h ile 45% o f th o s e w ith a high s c h o o l e d u c a tio n o r tw o y e a r s o f c o lle g e , and 64% o f th o s e rep o rtin g fo u r y e a r s o f c o lle g e o r m o r e , w o u ld v o te in th e sa m e m an n er. T he fin a l v a r ia b le a s s e s s e d fo r i t s e f f e c t upon th e l i k e l i ­ hood o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o te a d d itio n a l m o n ie s fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s w as th e ir w ork id e n tific a tio n . T he r e s u lt s o f t h is a s s e s s m e n t a r e T A B L E 4 -4 7 L ik elih o o d o f R e sp o n d en ts by L e v e l o f S ch o o lin g to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s L e ss than High School f % Y es 75 No TOTAL High School or High School P lu s Two Y ears of C ollege C ollege Graduate or More f % f 37% 240 45% 174 130 63 288 55 205 100% 528 100% 96 270 % A ll Respondents f % 64% 489 49% 36 514 51 100% 1,003 100% 138 r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 4 8 . An a n a ly s is o f t h is in d ic a t e s th a t th e w o rk c a te g o r y in w h ic h th e g r e a t e s t p e r c e n ta g e w ou ld v o te fo r i n c r e a s e s is p r o f e s s io n a l, w ith 61% o f t h o s e r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a tin g a fa v o ra b le r e s p o n s e . A ls o s u p p o r tiv e o f i n c r e a s e s fo r t h is p u r ­ p o se a r e b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l p e r s o n n e l (56% fa v o r a b le ) , s a l e s (55% fa v o r a b le ), and h o u s e w iv e s (51% fa v o r a b le ). W ork id e n t if ic a ­ tion c a t e g o r ie s l e s s fa v o r a b ly in c lin e d to v o te fo r a d d itio n a l e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s w e r e r e t ip e e s (47% fa v o r a b le ) , c r a f t s m e n fo r e m e n (43% fa v o r a b le ), u n s k ille d la b o r e r s (41% fa v o r a b le ) u n em p loy ed (32% fa v o r a b le ), and s e r v i c e w o r k e r s (27% fa v o r a b le ). G e n e r a lly , i t w o u ld a p p e a r th a t r e s p o n d e n ts p e r fo r m in g "w hite collar" jo b s a r e m o s t s u p p o r tiv e of v o tin g a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . Sum m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e s tio n 4 T he q u e s tio n of th e l e v e l o f s c h o o l t a x e s in G rand R a p id s com p ared to o th e r d i s t r i c t s w a s a n a ly z e d by v o tin g p u b lic , le v e l of sc h o o lin g c o m p le te d , w o rk id e n t if ic a t io n s , and p r o p e r ty o w n e r ­ ship in G rand R a p id s. A bou t t w o - t h ir d s o f a ll r e s p o n d e n ts f e l t th at ta x es in G rand R a p id s a r e a b o u t r ig h t. T h e ra n g e by v o tin g p u b lic feelin g th is w a y ex te n d e d fr o m a h ig h o f 70% o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e sp o n d en ts to a low o f 5 9% o f th o s e in th e C a th o lic s c h o o l c a te g o r y . 139 TABLE 4 -4 8 L ik e lih o o d o f R e s p o n d e n ts by W ork I d e n tific a tio n to V o te A d d itio n a l M illa g e fo r E m p lo y e e S a la r ie s No Y es P r o f e s s io n a l T o ta l f % f % 56 61% 36 39% f % 92 100% B u s in e s s - M a n a g e r ia l 128 56 101 44 229 100 S a les 110 55 90 45 200 100 C r a fts m a n -F o r e m a n 45 43 60 57 105 100 U n sk illed L a b o r e r 48 41 70 59 118 100 S e r v ic e W o rk er 9 27 24 73 33 100 R etired 7 47 8 53 15 100 U n em p loyed 23 32 50 68 73 100 H ou sew ife 30 51 29 49 59 100 O ther 36 46 43 54 79 100 A ll R e sp o n d e n ts 492 49% 511 51% 1, 003 100% 140 M ore C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts (38%) f e lt th a t s c h o o l t a x e s a r e too h ig h th an did r e s p o n d e n ts in an y o th e r v o tin g p u b lic . R e p lie s to the s a m e q u e s tio n w h en a n a ly z e d b y th e l e v e l o f sc h o o lin g c o m p le te d sh o w e d that th e h ig h e r th e l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , the l e s s lik e lih o o d th a t th e r e s p o n d e n t f e lt th a t h is s c h o o l ta x e s a r e to o h ig h c o m p a r e d to t a x e s in o th e r s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s . W hen the s a m e q u e s tio n w a s a s s e s s e d by w o rk id e n tific a tio n , i t w a s rep o r te d th a t th o s e w h o c l a s s i f y t h e m s e lv e s a s p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , s e r v i c e w o r k e r s , and h o u s e w iv e s tended to f e e l th a t t h e ir s c h o o l t a x e s a r e to o lo w ; and m o r e o f th o s e in the c l a s s if ic a t io n s o f u n s k ille d la b o r e r s , c r a f t s m e n - f o r e m e n , r e t ir e e s , and u n e m p lo y e d f e lt th a t t h e ir s c h o o l t a x e s a r e to o h igh than did th o s e in th e o th e r w o rk id e n tific a tio n c a t e g o r ie s . T h e r e la t io n s h ip o f p r o p e r ty o w n e r s h ip to the f e e lin g o f re sp o n d en ts ab ou t th e l e v e l o f t a x e s m a y be s u m m a r iz e d by s ta lin g that m o r e than tw ic e a s m a n y n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s a s p r o p e r ty o w n ers f e lt that t h e ir t a x e s a r e to o lo w . R e s p o n s e s to th e q u e s tio n of h ow r e s p o n d e n ts v o ted in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s w a s a n a ly z e d by v o tin g p u b lic , le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p leted , e x te n t o f p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s , and w o rk id e n tific a tio n . B y v o tin g p u b lic th e r a n g e of r e s p o n d e n ts w ho re p o r te d th a t th ey v o te d fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s ex te n d e d 141 from a h ig h o f 78% o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts to a low o f 56% o f C a th o lic sc h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . A h ig h e r p e r c e n ta g e (40%) o f C a th o lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts r e p o r te d th a t th ey had v o te d a g a in s t p r e v io u s r e q u e s t s for o p era tin g m illa g e s than did m e m b e r s o f an y o th e r v o tin g p u b lic . The le v e l o f s c h o o lin g and i t s e f f e c t upon h ow c it iz e n s v o te d in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s m a y b e s u m m a r iz e d b y s ta tin g th at th e h ig h e r th e le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , th e g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d th a t th e r e sp o n d e n ts v o te d fa v o r a b ly in p r e v io u s o p e r a tin g m illa g e r e q u e s t s . Of th o se w ith a c o lle g e e d u c a tio n o r m o r e , 88% r e p o r te d th a t th ey had v o ted fa v o r a b ly . T h is p e r c e n ta g e d e c r e a s e d to 60% w ith the group o f r e s p o n d e n ts w ho had c o m p le te d l e s s than a h ig h s c h o o l ed u cation . T h e r e la t io n s h ip o f p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s to the p a st v o tin g h a b its o f r e s p o n d e n ts in d ic a te d th a t th e e x te n t o f p a rticip a tio n h a s had an in flu e n c e on the v o tin g h a b its o f c it iz e n s . Of th o se r e s p o n d e n ts w ho p a r tic ip a te d in s c h o o l a f f a ir s l e s s than th ree t im e s d u rin g th e p a s t y e a r , 28% r e p o r te d th a t th e y had v o te d a g a in st p r e v io u s r e q u e s t s fo r o p e r a tin g m i l l a g e s . O n ly 16% o f th o se who had p a r tic ip a te d m o r e than t h r e e t im e s r e p o r te d th a t th e y had voted "no11 in p r e v io u s m illa g e e le c t io n s . W ork id e n tific a tio n and i t s e f f e c t upon th e p a s t v o tin g h a b its of r e sp o n d e n ts in d ic a te d th a t th e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f p r o f e s s io n a l, 142 b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , and c r a f t s m a n - f o r e m a n w e r e m o s t su p p o r tiv e in p r e v io u s e le c t io n s . T h o se l e a s t su p p o r tiv e w e r e u n sk ille d la b o r e r s , r e t i r e e s , and u n e m p lo y e d p e r s o n s . T he lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to c o n tin u e the p r e s e n t l e v e l of m illa g e w a s a ls o a n a ly z e d by v o tin g p u b lic , le v e l of s c h o o lin g co m p leted , w o rk id e n tific a tio n , p r o p e r ty o w n e r s h ip , le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s, and p a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a ffa ir s . B y v o tin g p u b lic a h ig h e r p e r c e n ta g e o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts and p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts r e p o r te d th at th e y w o u ld v o te to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l o f o p e r a tin g m illa g e than did th e r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s of the o th e r v o tin g p u b lic s . The p e r c e n ta g e o f th o s e in d ic a tin g a fa v o ra b le v o te w a s 65% o f th e p r e - s c h o o l g r o u p and 62% o f p u b lic sc h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . W hen th e s a m e q u e s tio n w a s a s s e s s e d by the le v e l of s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d , i t w a s found th a t th e h ig h e r the le v e l of sc h o o lin g th at th e r e s p o n d e n ts had c o m p le te d , th e g r e a t e r th e lik elih o o d o f th e ir v o tin g to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t l e v e l o f o p e r a tin g m illa g e . W ork id e n tific a tio n r e v e a le d th a t t h o s e m o s t lik e ly to c o n ­ tinue the p r e s e n t m illa g e w e r e p r o f e s s io n a l, b u sin e « g '-lT ia h a g er ia l, and s a l e s p e r s o n n e l. The w o rk c l a s s if ic a t io n s o f u n s k ille d la b o r e r s and u n em p lo y ed w e r e the l e a s t lik e ly g r o u p s to v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a con tinu ation. 143 O f p r o p e r ty o w n e r s, 56% r e p o r te d that th ey v e r y lik e ly would con tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l, w h ile o n ly 49% o f th o se in the n o n p ro p erty o w n e r sh ip c la s s if ic a t io n in d ic a te d that th ey w ould do the sa m e . T he m o s t su p p o r tiv e gro u p re sp o n d in g to the q u e stio n p e r ­ taining to a co n tin u a tio n o f m illa g e in t e r m s o f th e len g th o f th e ir r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s a r e th o se w ho h a v e r e s id e d th e r e b etw e en 2 -5 y ea rs. T h e g r o u p s le a s t lik e ly to be su p p o r tiv e a r e th o s e w ho have r e s id e d in G rand R ap id s l e s s than 2 y e a r s , o r m o r e than 10 y ears. P a r tic ip a tio n in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s and it s e f f e c t upon the lik elih o o d o f v o t e r s to co n tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e m a y b e su m m a r iz e d by s ta tin g that 61% o f the r e sp o n d e n ts w ho had p a r t i c i ­ pated th r e e o r m o r e t im e s in p u b lic s c h o o l a f fa ir s d u rin g th e la s t y e a r would v o te fo r a co n tin u a tio n , w h ile o n l y 51% o f th o se w ho had p articip a ted fe w e r than th r e e t im e s in d ic a te d that th ey w ould v o te favorab ly. T he lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r sp e c ifie d p u r p o s e s w a s g r e a t e s t fo r th e p u r p o s e s of s p e c ia l e d u c a ­ tion (82% fa v o r a b le ), ex ten d ed u s e o f s c h o o ls fo r a ll c it iz e n s (70% fa v o ra b le), s m a lle r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n (66% fa v o r a b le ), m o r e in d iv id u a lized in s tr u c tio n (64% fa v o r a b le ), ad u lt r e m e d ia l p r o g r a m s 144 (62% fa v o r a b le ), new s c h o o l b u ild in g s (61% fa v o r a b le ), and a d u lt trad e p r o g r a m s (5 9 % fa v o ra b le). T h e r e w a s a g e n e r a l s im ila r it y am ong the f iv e v o tin g p u b lic s in t h e ir r e s p o n s e s to th e v o tin g o f ad d ition al m illa g e fo r t h e s e p u r p o s e s . H ig h e r s a l a r i e s fo r e m p lo y e e s w a s o n e o f th e p u r p o s e s w hich r e sp o n d e n ts w e r e a s k e d to a s s e s s fo r t h e ir lik e lih o o d o f v o tin g ad d ition al m illa g e . B y v o tin g p u b lic the o n ly g ro u p in w h ic h a m a jo r ity r e p o r te d th a t th e y w o u ld v o te a d d itio n a l m o n e y fo r e m p lo y e e s a la r ie s w a s p r e - s c h o o l. T he v a r ia b le s o f p a r tic ip a tio n in s c h o o l a ffa ir s, le n g th o f r e s id e n c e in G rand R a p id s, l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g co m p leted , and w o rk id e n tific a tio n w e r e a l s o a n a ly z e d fo r th e ir e ffe c t upon th e lik e lih o o d o f r e s p o n d e n ts to v o te a d d itio n a l m illa g e for e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s . W hen m e a s u r e d b y the e x te n t o f p a r tic ip a tio n , it w a s found that 56% o f th o s e w ho had p a r tic ip a te d t h r e e o r m o r e t im e s w ould vote fa v o r a b ly , w h ile o n ly 44% o f th o s e w h o had p a r tic ip a te d fe w e r than th r e e t im e s r e p o r te d th e lik e lih o o d o f a fa v o r a b le v o te . By length o f r e s id e n c e , the g ro u p o f r e s p o n d e n ts w ho had r e s id e d in Grand R ap id s fro m 2 - 5 y e a r s w a s m o s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly , with 77% o f that g ro u p in d ic a tin g th a t th ey w ou ld v o te " y e s" fo r em p lo y ee s a la r y i n c r e a s e s . An a n a ly s is o f the l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d by r e s p o n ­ dents and i t s e f f e c t upon the lik e lih o o d o f v o t e r s to su p p o r t a d d itio n a l 145 m illa g e fo r e m p lo y e e s a l a r i e s r e v e a le d th a t the h ig h e r the le v e l o f sch o o lin g that the r e sp o n d e n t had c o m p le te d , the g r e a t e r th e lik e li hood of h is v o tin g fa v o r a b ly . T he p e r c e n ta g e of fa v o r a b le v o t e s extended fro m a h igh o f 64% w ith th o se r e sp o n d e n ts w ho had com pleted fou r y e a r s of c o lle g e to a low o f 37% o f th o s e w ho had c o m ­ p leted l e s s than a h igh s c h o o l ed u ca tio n . T he c a t e g o r ie s o f w ork id e n tific a tio n m o s t fa v o r a b ly in clin ed to v o te fo r e m p lo y e e s a la r y in c r e a s e s w e r e p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , and h o u s e w iv e s . T he c a t e g o r ie s o f work that w ou ld le a s t lik e ly v o te a d d itio n a l m o n e y fo r s a l a r i e s w e r e u n sk illed la b o r e r s , u n e m p lo y ed , and s e r v ic e w o r k e r s . R e se a r c h Q u e stio n 5 W ithin e a c h v o tin g p u b lic , w h ich p eo p le tend to b e m o s t su p p o r tiv e o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls ? B y se e k in g r e s p o n s e s to th is q u e stio n it w a s the in te n t to id en tify p e r s o n s and g r o u p s w ith in the co m m u n ity w ho tend to be s u p ­ p ortive o f p u b lic s c h o o ls and w ho w ou ld be h e lp fu l to the B o a rd of E d u cation and s ta ff in con d u ctin g fu tu re m illa g e e le c t io n s . It i s re co g n ize d th a t s o m e of th e o th e r q u e s tio n s and m u ch of the d ata d is c u s s e d and p r e s e n te d p r e v io u s ly in th is ch a p ter r e la t e to th is q u estion . T hat in fo r m a tio n a lr e a d y p r e s e n te d w ill n ot be a s s e s s e d 146 again but w ill be co m b in ed w ith the r e s p o n s e s c o m p ile d h e r e w hen c o n c lu sio n s and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s a r e draw n in the fin a l c h a p te r. T he q u e stio n a s s e s s e d h e r e a sk e d the r e s p o n d e n ts to id e n tify in d iv id u a ls, g r o u p s , o r o r g a n iz a tio n s w h ich th e y f e l t e n d o r se d and supported the p u b lic s c h o o ls . B e c a u s e o f the v a r ie t y of r e s p o n s e s giv en , no ta b u la r d is tr ib u tio n w a s m a d e . The fo llo w in g i s a s u m m a ­ tion of r e s p o n s e s c a te g o r iz e d by v o tin g p u b lic . P u b lic s c h o o l. - - T h e lo c a l P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t io n s w e r e su g g e s te d f ift y - o n e t im e s . su g g ested e le v e n t im e s . V a r io u s p r o te s ta n t c h u r c h e s w e r e T h e s e in c lu d e d , s p e c if ic a lly , F a ith L utheran, F o u n tain S tr e e t, F i r s t M e th o d ist, T r in ity M e th o d ist, and True L igh t B a p tis t. fifteen t im e s . T he C h a m b er of C o m m e r c e w a s r e c o m m e n d e d T he K iw a n is C lu b s w e r e m en tio n ed 6 t im e s a s b ein g su p p o rtiv e of the p u b lic s c h o o ls . O th e r s r e c e iv in g e n d o r s e m e n ts w ere the lo c a l N A A C P , the lo c a l C a m p fir e G ir ls , the S heldon C o m ­ plex O r g a n iz a tio n (OEO a f filia te ), and the G rand R a p id s P o lic e D ep artm en t. A n in te r e s tin g s id e lig h t w a s that G o v e r n o r R o c k e f e lle r of New Y ork , A dam C la y to n P o w e ll, and the P r u d e n tia l C om pany of A m erica e a c h r e c e iv e d one su p p o r tiv e co m m en t. C h r istia n s c h o o l. - - L o c a l P a r e n t -T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t io n s w er e s u g g e s te d fou r t im e s , the G rand R a p id s C h a m b er of C o m m e r c e , 147 the K iw a n is C lu b s o f G rand R a p id s tw ic e , and th e r e w e r e s in g le e n d o r s e m e n ts fo r the Y M C A , YW CA, th e G rand R a p id s P o lic e D e p a r tm e n t, the C a lv in C o lle g e fa c u lty (the lo c a l c o lle g e o f the C h r istia n R e fo r m e d C h u rch ), and the R e fo r m e d C h u rch o f A m e r ic a . C a th o lic s c h o o l. - - L o c a l P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t i o n s w e r e re c o m m e n d e d s i x t im e s , and lo c a l s e r v i c e c lu b s (L io n s , K iw a n is , R otary, and O p tim is t), A F L -C IO L a b o r C o u n c il, the G rand R a p id s C ou n cil o f C h u r c h e s , the G rand R a p id s C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e , and B ish op B a b co ck w e r e e a c h s u g g e s t e d o n c e . P r e - s c h o o l . - - S u g g e s t e d fo u r t im e s e a c h w e r e lo c a l P a r e n t T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t i o n s and th e G rand R a p id s C h a m b er o f C o m m e r c e . In a d d itio n , the fo llo w in g w e r e e a c h r e c o m m e n d e d o n c e : F o u n ta in S tr eet C h u rch , the U rb a n L e a g u e , the I n te r p r e te r (a new w e e k ly n ew sp a p er in G rand R a p id s), th e G rand R a p id s E d u c a tio n a l A s s o c i a ­ tion, and C A P E (C itiz e n s fo r the A d v a n c e m e n t o f P u b lic E d u c a tio n ). N on - s c h o o l. - -T h e P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t i o n s w e r e s u g ­ g e ste d s ix t e e n t im e s , th e G rand R a p id s C h a m b e r of C o m m e r c e w a s en d o rsed te n t im e s , the K iw a n is C lu b s o f G rand R a p id s fo u r t im e s , p ro testa n t c h u r c h g r o u p s th r e e t im e s , the L io n s Club o f G rand R apids tw ic e , and F i r s t M e th o d is t C h u rch , the U rb a n L e a g u e , the 148 N A A C P, the f ir e and p o lic e d e p a r tm e n ts , and the L ea g u e of W om en V o te rs w e r e e a c h e n d o r se d o n c e . S um m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 5 G ro u p s a n d /o r o r g a n iz a tio n s that w e r e m o s t o ften id e n tifie d by the r e s p o n d e n ts a s b ein g su p p o r tiv e o f th e p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R apids w e r e the lo c a l P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t io n s , the G rand R a p id s C ham ber o f C o m m e r c e , S e r v ic e C lu b s ( e s p e c ia lly the K iw a n is C lu b s a ffilia te s ), and c e r ta in p r o te s ta n t c h u r c h e s . O th er o r g a n iz a tio n s and grou p s w e r e id e n tifie d b y in d iv id u a ls w ith in the v a r io u s p u b lic s but w ith no b road e n d o r s e m e n t e ith e r w ith in th e v o tin g p u b lic o f the resp on d en t n o r a m o n g th e r e sp o n d e n ts fr o m the o th e r fo u r p u b lic s . R e se a r c h Q u e stio n 6 How k n o w le d g e a b le ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls i s e a c h v o tin g publi c ? T he fin a l s e c t io n o f the q u e s tio n n a ir e so u g h t to a s s e s s the respondent* s g e n e r a l k n o w led g e ab out the o p e r a tio n o f the G rand R apids P u b lic S c h o o ls. One q u e stio n a sk e d r e sp o n d e n ts to n a m e the p r e se n t S u p erin ten d en t o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls . The o th e r in fo r m a tio n w as obtained by a sk in g r e s p o n d e n ts to in d ic a te w h e th e r a l i s t of sta te m e n ts p erta in in g to the p u b lic s c h o o ls w e r e "true" or " f a ls e . " 149 T he r e s p o n s e s r e c e iv e d p e r ta in in g to th e q u e s tio n id en tify in g th e p r e s e n t S u p e r in te n d e n t o f S c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s a r e r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 4 9 . r e sp o n d e n ts . A m u ltip le c h o ic e o p tio n w a s g iv e n the The c h o ic e s w e r e th e fo llo w in g : B e n ja m in B u ik em a (S u p e rin ten d e n t o f S c h o o ls fr o m 1 9 3 9 1964); D a v id P o s t ( P r e s id e n t o f th e B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n a t the tim e the stu d y w a s m a d e ); D a v id T h o m p so n (E x e c u tiv e S e c r e t a r y o f the lo c a l e d u c a tio n a s s o c ia t io n ) ; C h r is S o n n ev e ld t (M a y o r o f G rand R ap id s); N o rm a n W e in h e im e r (p r e s e n t S u p er in ten d en t o f S c h o o ls); and A lb e r t S h an k er ( P r e s id e n t o f th e N ew Y ork C ity F e d e r a tio n of T e a c h e r s ). A s sh o w n in T a b le 4 - 4 9 , 90% o f a l l r e s p o n d e n ts i d e n t i­ fied the p r e s e n t S u p e r in te n d e n t o f S c h o o ls . T h e r e w a s v e r y lit t le v a r ia tio n a m o n g the f iv e v o tin g p u b lic s . S ta te m e n ts a b o u t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls th at r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e a sk ed to id e n tify a s " tru e" o r " fa lse " w e r e the fo llo w in g : V o c a tio n a l c o u r s e s a r e p r e s e n t ly o ffe r e d to stu d e n ts in our lo c a l p u b lic h ig h s c h o o ls . (T h e a n s w e r i s " tru e. ") A m e r ic a n g o v e r n m e n t i s a r e q u ir e d c o u r s e fo r a ll h ig h s c h o o l s tu d e n ts in o u r lo c a l p u b lic h ig h s c h o o ls . (T h e a n s w e r i s " tr u e . ") T h e G rand R a p id s J u n io r C o lle g e i s o p e r a te d by the G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n . (T h e a n s w e r i s " tr u e . ") T e x tb o o k s a r e fu r n ish e d f r e e to a l l s tu d e n ts a tte n d in g p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s. (T h e a n s w e r i s " f a ls e ." ) TA BL E 4 -4 9 N u m b ers and P e r c e n ta g e s o f R esp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic Who Id en tified th e P r e s e n t S u p erin ten d en t o f S c h o o ls C hristian School Public School f B. J. Buikema % 30 f % Catholic School f % 8% 6 7% 9 7% P reSchool f % 11 N onSchool f A ll Respondents % f % 9% 30 9% 86 8% David P o st 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 3 21 2 David Thompson 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 5 1 C hris Sonneveldt 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 339 89 81 92 116 92 117 91 311 88 964 90 A lbert Shanker 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 TOTAL 379 Norman W einheim er 100% 88 100% 126 100% 129 100% 355 100% 1,077 100% 151 T h e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls a r e tr a n sp o r tin g stu d e n ts b y b u s fo r th e f i r s t tim e th is f a ll. (T h e a n s w e r i s " f a ls e . ") M e m b e r s o f the G rand R a p id s B o a r d of E d u c a tio n a r e a p p o in ted b y the S u p e r in te n d e n t o f S c h o o ls . (T h e a n s w e r i s " f a ls e . ") C ity in c o m e ta x m o n e y i s u s e d to o p e r a te th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . (T h e a n s w e r i s " f a ls e . ") A n a n a ly s is o f th e data r e p o r te d in T a b le s 4 - 5 0 th rou gh 4 -5 6 r e v e a le d th e fo llo w in g : M o r e than 4 o u t o f 5 o f th e r e sp o n d e n ts (a ctu a lly 83%) w e r e a w a r e th a t v o c a tio n a l p r o g r a m s a r e a v a ila b le in the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . T h e r a n g e o f k n o w le d g e e x te n d e d from a h igh o f 93% o f th e p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts to a low o f 75% o f n o n -s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts . A lm o s t 95% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e k n o w le d g e a b le o f the fact th at A m e r ic a n g o v e r n m e n t i s a r e q u ir e d c o u r s e in th e p u b lic high s c h o o ls , a s sh o w n in T a b le 4 - 5 1 . It i s in t e r e s t in g to n o te th a t two g r o u p s , C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts and p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n ­ d en ts, w e r e 100% k n o w le d g e a b le o f th is f a c t . O n ly w ith n o n - s c h o o l r e sp o n d en ts, w h e r e a p p r o x im a te ly 9% r e sp o n d e d w ith th e a n s w e r " fa lse , " w a s th e r e a n y s iz a b l e v a r ia tio n in th e r e s p o n s e s . E ig h t y -f iv e p e r c e n t o f the r e s p o n d e n ts knew th at the G rand R apids J u n io r C o lle g e i s o p e r a te d b y th e G rand R a p id s B o a rd of E ducation. T h is i s r e f le c t e d in T a b le 4 - 5 2 . In a l l p u b lic s a t le a s t fo u r -fifth o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e k n o w le d g e a b le o f th is fa c t. In th e TA BL E 4 -5 0 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "Vocational C ou rses A re P resen tly Offered to Students in our L ocal P ublic High Schools” a s True or F a lse Public School f % f % 87% 79 90% True 324 F a lse 47 13 371 100% TOTAL C hristian School 9 88 Catholic School f 104 % 80% 10 26 20 100% 130 100% P reSchool f % 119 9 128 93% NonSchool A ll R espondents f % f % 257 75% 883 83% 176 17 7 85 25 100% 342 100% 1,0 5 9 100% T A B L E 4 -5 1 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "A m erican Government Is a Required C ourse for A ll Students in Our L ocal Public High Schools" as True or F a lse Public School f C hristian School % f % f 86 100% 123 True 356 94% F a lse 21 6 0 0 377 100% 86 100% TOTAL Catholic School % 7 130 95% 5 100% P reSchool NonSchool f % f 129 100% 320 0 129 0 100% 31 351 % 91% 9 100% A ll R espondents f % 1, 014 59 1,073 94% 6 100% TA B L E 4 -5 2 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of R espondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "The Grand Rapids Junior C ollege Is Operated by the Grand Rapids Board of Education" a s True or F a lse Public School f TOTAL f % 87% 78 90% 48 13 372 100% 9 87 f 111 % 86% P reSchool f 114 % 87% A ll Respondents N onSchool f % 288 vO F a lse 324 % Catholic School i- r CO True C hristian School 10 18 14 17 13 66 19 100% 129 100% 131 100% 354 100% f % 915 85% 158 15 1,073 100% 155 C h r istia n s c h o o l c a te g o r y , n in e - t e n t h s o f the r e s p o n d e n ts p o s s e s s e d th is in fo r m a tio n . A lm o s t n in e -t e n t h s o f the r e s p o n d e n ts (a c tu a lly 88%) knew that te x tb o o k s a r e n o t fu r n is h e d f r e e to s tu d e n ts a tten d in g p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s a c c o r d in g to the d ata p r o v id e d in T a b le 4 - 5 3 . T his k n o w le d g e l e v e l w a s h ig h e s t a m o n g the p u b lic s c h o o l g r o u p , in w hich on ly 3% r e sp o n d e d th a t th e s t a te m e n t w a s " tr u e . " T h is r e s p o n s e fr o m p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts v a r ie d c o n s id e r a b ly fr o m the o th e r p u b lic s , in w h ic h 19% o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 18% of p r e - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 14% o f C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , and 16% o f n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts f e l t th a t te x tb o o k s w e r e fu r n is h e d f r e e to a ll s tu d e n ts . T h e s t a te m e n t a b o u t b u s s in g s tu d e n ts e lic it e d c o n s id e r a b le v a r ia tio n in r e s p o n s e s . T h is i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 5 4 . It i s a f a c t that a n u m b er of G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l s tu d e n ts h a v e b e e n t r a n s ­ ported to s c h o o l fo r m a n y y e a r s . N e v e r t h e le s s , th e r e w e r e o n e - third o f the r e s p o n d e n ts w h o f e lt th a t s tu d e n ts w e r e b u s s e d fo r th e f ir s t tim e th is p a s t y e a r . T h is p e r c e n ta g e ra n g ed fr o m a h ig h o f 43% w ith the n o n - s c h o o l p u b lic to a low o f 22% o f p r e - s c h o o l. T h ir t y - s ix p er c e n t of C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 30% o f p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n ­ d en ts, and 25% o f C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e m is in fo r m e d on th is op eratin g p r o c e d u r e of th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . T A B L E 4 -5 3 N u m b e r s and P e r c e n ta g e s o f R e sp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic W ho Id en tifie d th e Statem en t: ’’Textbooks A re Furnished F ree to A ll Students Attending Public Schools in Grand Rapids" a s True or F a lse P ublic School f % C hristian School C atholic School P reSchool N onSchool f % f % f % f % f % 16 19% 18 14% 23 18% 57 16% 127 12% 974 88 True 13 F a lse 386 97 68 81 113 86 104 82 303 84 TOTAL 339 100% 84 100% 131 100% 127 100% 360 100% 3% A ll R espondents 1,101 100% T A B L E 4 -5 4 N um bers and P ercen ta g es of Respondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "The Grand Rapids Public Schools A re Transporting Students by Bus for the F ir s t Tim e This Fall" as True or F a lse Public School f C hristian School Catholic School PreSchool N onSchool % f % f % f % f 29 22% A ll R espondents % f % 158 43% 372 34% 738 66 True 116 30% 22 25% 47 36% F a lse 276 70 66 75 85 64 102 78 209 57 TOTAL 392 100% 88 100% 132 100% 131 100% 367 100% 1, 110 100% 158 A la r g e m a jo r ity o f r e sp o n d e n ts w e r e k n o w le d g e a b le o f the fact that B o a rd of E d u ca tio n m e m b e r s a r e n ot a p p o in ted by the S u p erin ten d en t o f S c h o o ls , a s i s illu s t r a t e d in T a b le 4 - 5 5 . O v e r a ll, 95% of th o s e re sp o n d in g m a rk ed the s ta te m e n t a s " f a l s e . ” In on ly one p u b lic, p r e - s c h o o l, did the p e r c e n ta g e o f r e sp o n d e n ts w ho w e r e k n o w led g ea b le o f th is fa c t f a ll b elo w 90%. A c tu a lly 88% o f p r e - s c h o o l re sp o n d en ts w e r e k n o w le d g e a b le that the S u p erin ten d en t o f S c h o o ls d oes not ap p o in t B oard o f E d u ca tio n m e m b e r s . T he fin a l s ta te m e n t that r e sp o n d e n ts w e r e a sk e d to jud ge "true" or " fa lse " d e a lt w ith the u s e o f c ity in c o m e tax m o n e y fo r Board o f E d u ca tio n o p e r a tin g p u r p o s e s . sen ted in T a b le 4 - 5 6 . T h is in fo r m a tio n i s p r e ­ A lm o s t n in e out of ten r e sp o n d e n ts (a c tu a lly 88%) w e r e a w a r e th at the s ta te m e n t a s w r itte n w a s " f a ls e . " T h e r e w as again g e n e r a l s im ila r it y am on g the v o tin g p u b lic s in th e ir know ledge ab out the u s e o f c ity in c o m e tax m o n e y fo r the s c h o o l p u r p o se s. The e x c e p tio n w a s w ith the C h r istia n s c h o o l g ro u p , in w hich 95% of them re sp o n d e d c o r r e c t ly to the s ta te m e n t. Sum m ary o f R e s e a r c h Q u e stio n 6 W ith one e x c e p tio n , the g e n e r a l k n o w led g e le v e l p o s s e s s e d by r e sp o n d en ts w a s about 85%, a s r e fle c t e d by the q u e s tio n and sta te m e n ts a s s e s s e d in th is stu d y . T h is e x c e p tio n w a s the p o lic y of T A B L E 4 -5 5 Num bers and P ercen ta g es of Respondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "M em bers of the Grand Rapids Board of Education A re Appointed by the Superintendent of Schools" as True or F a lse Public School f True 17 % 4% Christian School f % 2 2% C atholic School f % 6 5% NonSchool PreSchool f % f 16 12% 23 % 6% A ll Respondents f % 64 6% F a lse 367 96 88 98 128 96 115 88 341 94 1, 039 94 TOTAL 384 100% 90 100% 134 100% 131 100% 364 100% 1,103 100% T A B L E 4 -5 6 Num bers and P ercen ta g es of Respondents by Voting Public Who Identified the Statement: "City Incom e Tax Money Is U sed to Operate the Grand Rapids Public Schools" as True or F a lse Public School f % True 43 11% F a lse 331 89 C hristian School f % 4 84 5% 95 Catholic School P reSchool N onSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % 14 11% 17 13% 47 14% 125 12% 294 86 928 88 341 100% 109 89 110 87 i TOTAL 374 100% 88 100% 123 100% 127 100% 1,053 100% 161 tra n sp o rtin g stu d e n ts , ab out w h ich o n ly 66% o f the r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e k n o w le d g e a b le . T h e r e w e r e s o m e e x c e p tio n s to the k n o w le d g e le v e l stated w ith in in d iv id u a l v o tin g p u b lic s . F o r in s t a n c e , in the s t a t e ­ m en t r e g a r d in g the fu r n ish in g of te x tb o o k s to s tu d e n ts a tten d in g p u b lic s c h o o ls , on ly 3% o f p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts a n sw e r e d th is s t a t e ­ m en t in c o r r e c t ly . O th er p u b lic s ra n g ed fr o m 14% to 19% in c o r r e c t in th e ir k n o w led g e about the d is tr ib u tio n of te x tb o o k s . A la r g e v a r i a ­ tion am ong the p u b lic s e x is t e d in th e ir r e s p o n s e s to th e q u e s tio n rela tin g to th e tr a n sp o r tin g o f s tu d e n ts . O f n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts , 43% a n sw e r e d th is q u e stio n in c o r r e c t ly , w h ile on ly 22% o f p r e - s c h o o l p a ren ts a s s e s s e d th is s ta te m e n t in c o r r e c t ly . G e n e r a l s im ila r it y o f r e s p o n s e s e x is te d a m o n g th e fiv e v o tin g p u b lic s in r e s p o n s e s to the other q u e s tio n s . P A R T III P r e s e n ta t io n o f O th er F in d in g s - A n a ly s is o f O p en -E n d ed Q u e s tio n s T h is s e c t io n o f th e fin d in g s i s an a n a ly s is of the s u b je c tiv e r e s p o n s e s to fo u r o p e n -e n d e d q u e s tio n s and c o m p le tio n s ta te m e n ts included in the q u e s tio n n a ir e . T h e s e a r e th e fo llo w in g : P le a s e fin is h the fo llo w in g s t a te m e n t s in any w a y y o u w ish : a. T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls a r e 162 b. I w o u ld l i k e th e G r a n d R a p id s P u b l i c S c h o o l s to H a v e yo u h e a r d an yth in g bad ab ou t th e lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly ? If Y E S , w h a t? _________________________________________________ . H a v e yo u h e a r d a n y th in g g o o d a b o u t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly ? If Y E S , w h a t? _________________________________________________ . P a r t ic ip a n t s r e s p o n d e d w ith m a n y d iv e r s e and le n g th y c o m ­ m e n ts . T h e r e s p o n s e s fr o m a l l p u b lic s f ille d n e a r ly 2 00 d o u b le - sp a ced ty p e w r itte n p a g e s . T h e s e r e s p o n s e s h a v e b e e n c a r e f u lly read , a s s im ila t e d , and c o m p ile d fo r p r e s e n ta tio n and d is c u s s io n in a m a n n er s i m i l a r to th a t u s e d in th e a n a ly s is of th e o b je c t iv e q u e s ­ tion s r e p o r te d in P a r t II o f t h is c h a p te r . W h ere p o s s ib le , th e fin d in g s have b een c a t e g o r iz e d and s u m m a r iz e d in to ta b u la r fo r m by v o tin g p u b lic. B e c a u s e o f th e h ig h ly s u b je c tiv e n a tu r e o f the r e s p o n s e s , a p e r so n fr o m th e r e s e a r c h c e n te r o f M ic h ig a n S ta te U n iv e r s it y (D r . L a r r y L e z o tte ) a s s i s t e d in the c a te g o r iz a tio n and ta b u la tio n o f the r e s p o n s e s . It w a s th e ju d g m e n t o f the w r it e r th a t an " o u tsid e r " to the G rand R a p id s c o m m u n ity cou ld p r o v id e a m o r e o b je c tiv e r e v ie w o f th e r e s p o n s e s . F o r ta b u la tio n p u r p o s e s a c a te g o r y w a s e s t a b lis h e d w h en th ere w e r e a t l e a s t ten r e s p o n d e n ts fro m a l l p u b lic s w ho r e p lie d to a sta te m e n t in a s im ila r m a n n e r . S im ila r r e s p o n s e s w h ich to ta le d fe w e r than ten a r e co m b in ed and c a t e g o r iz e d u n d er "oth er" in the a n a ly s is of e a c h q u e stio n o r s ta te m e n t. The p e r c e n ta g e u s e d in the tabu lar p r e s e n ta tio n fo r e a c h v o tin g p u b lic i s the p e r c e n ta g e that that fr e q u e n c y i s to th e to ta l fr e q u e n c y fo r a ll p u b lic s m a k in g a s im ila r r e s p o n s e to the q u e stio n o r s ta te m e n t. It sh o u ld be noted that the d is tr ib u tio n o f r e s p o n d e n ts b y v o tin g p u b lic u se d in th is study w a s the fo llo w in g : p u b lic s c h o o l, 35%; C h r is tia n s c h o o l, 8%; C ath olic s c h o o l, 12%; p r e - s c h o o l, 11%, and n o n - s c h o o l, 34%. F ro m th e se p e r c e n ta g e s it m a y b e a s s u m e d th at r e s p o n s e s ta b u la ted in th is se c tio n w ould a p p r o x im a te the s a m e p e r c e n ta g e of d is tr ib u tio n on any s ta te m e n t o r q u e stio n . T h u s, if e a c h p u b lic r e sp o n d e d p r o p o r ­ tio n a tely , a p p r o x im a te ly 35% of the r e s p o n s e s to e a c h o f the fou r q u estio n s o r s ta te m e n ts a n a ly z e d w ou ld b e fr o m p u b lic s c h o o l p a ren ts, 8% fr o m C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts , 12% fr o m C a th o lic sc h o o l, 11% fr o m p r e - s c h o o l, and 34% fr o m n o n - s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts . M ajor d e v ia tio n fr o m t h e s e p e r c e n ta g e s o f r e s p o n s e s i s n oted throughout the r e p o r tin g of the d ata in th is s e c t io n . T he f i r s t s ta te m e n t w h ich r e sp o n d e n ts w e r e a sk e d to c o m ­ p lete w a s the fo llo w in g : "T he G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls a r e ___________________ . " A to ta l o f 5 29 r e sp o n d e n ts c o m p le te d th is sta tem en t. A su m m a r y of t h e s e r e s p o n s e s i s found in T a b le 4 - 5 7 . T A B L E 4 -5 7 R e s p o n s e s by V oting P u b lic to th e S tatem en t: " The G rand R ap id s P u b lic S c h o o ls A r e Public School C hristian School f % Doing a Good Job 37 38% 6 6% Inadequate Staff an d/or F a c ilitie s 43 62 2 B ussing U n n eces­ sa r ily 17 40 Need of T eacher D iscip lin e 25 Trying to R esolve P rob lem s 26 f C atholic School PreSchool NonSchool A ll R espondents f % f % f % f 10 10% 10 10% 34 35% 97 3 2 3 10 15 12 17 69 3 7 6 15 0 0 16 38 42 45 3 5 7 13 4 7 17 30 56 55 6 13 6 13 1 2 8 17 47 % TA BL E 4 - 5 7 - - C ontinued Lacking Adequate Communi cations 13 62 1 5 2 10 3 14 2 10 21 In a P eriod of C r isis 17 47 6 17 5 14 3 8 15 14 36 In Need of M ore Money 11 61 0 0 1 6 3 17 3 17 18 F ailing to Challenge Students 10 53 2 10 2 10 2 10 3 16 19 Lacking in Leadership 9 53 2 12 1 6 2 12 3 18 17 Too Concerned with F a c ilitie s 8 66 0 0 2 17 0 0 2 17 12 43 45 5 5 14 15 13 14 20 21 95 7% 58 11% 51 10% 125 24% Other TOTAL 259 48% 36 529 166 O f th is to ta l, 2 5 9 (48%) w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l, 36 (7%) w e r e C h r is tia n sc h o o l, 58 (11%) w e r e C a th o lic s c h o o l, 51 (10%) w e r e p r e - s c h o o l, and 125 (24%) w e r e n o n - s c h o o l. A c o m p ila tio n and c a t e g o r iz a t io n o f the c o m m e n ts i s r e p o r te d in T a b le 4 - 5 7 . T he s in g le m o s t fr e q u e n t r e s p o n s e in d ic a te d th at a la r g e p e r c e n ta g e o f the r e s p o n d e n ts , though n o t a m a jo r ity , f e lt th a t th e G rand R a p id s s c h o o ls a r e d oin g a good jo b . A to ta l of 97 r e s p o n d e n ts w r o te c o m m e n ts th a t w e r e c a te g o r iz e d in th is m a n n e r . T h e s e c o m m e n ts w e r e d is tr ib u te d q u ite p r o p o r tio n a te ly a m o n g th e f iv e v o tin g p u b lic s . S ix ty -n in e c o m m e n ts r e fle c t e d th a t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e in a d e q u a te in s p a c e ( o v e r ­ crow d ed ) o r in th e q u a lific a tio n s o f s t a f f . O f th is n u m b e r , 43 (62% ) of the r e s p o n s e s c a m e fr o m p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n t s . P r o p o r t io n a te ly , m o r e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts and n o n - s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts w e r e c r it ic a l o f th e b u s s in g p r o g r a m o f th e s c h o o l s y s t e m and d e p a r tu r e from th e n eig h b o r h o o d s c h o o l c o n c e p t (40% o f th e c o m m e n ts w e r e fro m p a r e n ts o f p u b lic s c h o o l c h ild r e n and 38% fr o m n o n - s c h o o l) . In the n eed f o r s t r i c t e r d is c ip lin e c a t e g o r y , 45% o f the r e s p o n s e s ca m e fr o m th e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n t g r o u p . S im ila r ly , o f th e 47 p e r s o n s in d ic a tin g th a t the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls a r e tr y in g to do a good jo b and r e m e d y p r o b le m s , t w e n t y - s ix o f th em (55%) w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T h u s, i t w o u ld a p p e a r in r e v ie w in g the to ta l r e s p o n s e s to th is s t a te m e n t th a t p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e 167 both m o r e v e r b a l than a n y o th e r p u b lic and f e lt m o r e c o m fo r ta b le (and p erh a p s k n o w le d g e a b le ) in b ein g both c r it ic a l and su p p o r tiv e of the s c h o o ls w h ich th e ir c h ild r e n a tten d . In e v e r y c a te g o r y o f r e s p o n s e s the p e r c e n ta g e o f th o s e r e p ly in g fr o m the p u b lic s c h o o l grou p e x c e e d e d the o v e r a ll p e r c e n ta g e o f p u b lic s c h o o l r e s p o n d e n ts in the stu d y . It is a ls o a p p a r e n t to the w r it e r in a n a ly z in g the r e s p o n s e s to th is s t a te m e n t th a t the g ro u p w h ich w a s g e n e r a lly the le a s t c r it ic a l o f the to ta l p u b lic s c h o o l o p e r a tio n w a s p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts. T h is w a s d iff ic u lt to o b je c t iv e ly d e te r m in e , and th u s i s la r g e ly a s u b je c tiv e ju d g m e n t m a d e by the w r it e r a fte r r e v ie w in g and re a d in g th e c o m m e n ts o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts in c o m p a r is o n to th o se fr o m th e o th e r p u b lic s . T he se c o n d s ta te m e n t w h ich so u g h t s u b je c tiv e c o m m e n ts w a s the fo llo w in g : ___________ "I w ou ld lik e the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls to • " C o m m e n ts w e r e c a t e g o r iz e d and a r e rep o rted in T a b le 4 - 5 8 . s e le c te d : T h e fo llo w in g c a t e g o r ie s o f r e s p o n s e s w e r e e n fo r c e s t r i c t e r d is c ip lin e , s to p b u s s in g , im p r o v e e d u c a ­ tion, p r o m o te v o c a tio n a l e d u c a tio n , d e v e lo p a b e t te r c o m m u n ic a tio n s y s te m , b e e d u c a tio n a lly p r o g r e s s iv e , h ir e b e tte r t e a c h e r s , in it ia te m o re p r o g r a m s fo r a d u lts , and " o th er. " A to ta l of 4 9 0 w r itte n r e s p o n s e s w e r e m a d e by p e r s o n s rep o rtin g fr o m a ll v o tin g p u b lic s . O f t h is to ta l, 2 2 8 (47%) r e s p o n s e s TA BL E 4 -5 8 R e s p o n s e s by V oting P u b lic to the Statem ent: "I W ould L ike the Grand R ap id s P u b lic S ch o o ls to Public School Christian School f % Enforce Stricter D iscipline 35 42% 4 5% Stop Bussing Students 37 55 5 Improve Education 34 58 6 26 Prom ote Vocational Education f Catholic School P reSchool f % 10 12% 6 8 4 6 4 6 7 0 0 5 % NonSchool A ll Respondents f % f 7% 29 34% 84 2 3 19 28 67 12 0 0 14 24 59 22 1 4 11 48 23 f % T A B L E 4 - 5 8 --C o n tin u ed ---------- --------D evelop a B etter C om m unica­ tion System 8 35 2 9 1 4 1 4 11 48 23 Be Educa tionally P r o g r e ssiv e 23 47 1 2 1 2 17 35 7 14 49 H ire B etter T each ers 16 57 3 11 3 11 1 4 5 17 28 Initiate M ore Adult Education 12 60 0 0 3 15 2 10 3 15 20 Other 57 41 11 8 21 15 9 7 39 29 137 228 47 30 6 55 11 39 8 138 28 490 TOTAL 170 w e r e fr o m p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n t s , 138 (28%) fr o m the n o n - s c h o o l p u b lic, 55 (11%) fr o m the C a th o lic r e s p o n d e n ts , 39 (8%) fr o m p r e ­ sc h o o l p a r e n ts , and 30 (6%) fr o m C h r is tia n s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T h is in d ic a te d a g a in th a t p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e m o r e v e r b a l a b ou t th e ir f e e lin g s a b o u t w h at th e y w o u ld lik e th e p u b lic s c h o o ls to do than w e r e m e m b e r s o f a n y o th e r p u b lic . T h is fa c t w a s a ls o r e f le c t e d in the th r e e c a t e g o r ie s id e n tifie d m o s t fr e q u e n tly . T h ese w ere: e n fo r c e s t r i c t e r d is c ip lin e (84 r e s p o n s e s ) , sto p b u s s in g stu d e n ts (67 r e s p o n s e s ) , and im p r o v e e d u c a tio n (59 r e s p o n s e s ) . It m a y b e noted th at 55% o f th o s e w ho s u g g e s t the e lim in a t io n o f stu d e n t b u s s in g w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts , a s w e r e 58% o f th o s e r e sp o n d in g th at th e y w ould im p r o v e e d u c a tio n . O f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w ho f e lt th a t th e r e should b e s t r i c t e r d is c ip lin e p r o c e d u r e s in th e p u b lic s c h o o ls , 42% w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n t s . S im ila r h ig h e r p e r c e n t a g e s w e r e found am ong p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts in r e q u e s tin g b e t te r t e a c h e r s (57%) and a sk in g th a t the s y s t e m b e c o m e m o r e e d u c a tio n a lly p r o g r e s s iv e (47%). It m a y b e r e c a lle d th a t o v e r a ll p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts r e p r e s e n t o n ly 35% o f th e to ta l n u m b e r o f q u e s t io n n a ir e s r e tu r n e d . T h u s, a s in the f ir s t s ta te m e n t, i t a p p e a r s that p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts f e l t n o t o n ly m o r e v o c a l but a ls o m o r e c r i t i c a l in t h e ir a p p r a is a l o f w h a t th ey w ould lik e the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls to do. T he o th e r p u b lic s fo r the m o s t p a r t r e sp o n d e d in n u m b e r s s im ila r to t h e ir o v e r a ll 171 p e r c e n ta g e s in th e p o p u la tio n of th e stu d y . O ne n o ta b le e x c e p tio n to th is s t a te m e n t i s r e v e a le d in th e c a te g o r y o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts w ho d e s ir e th e s c h o o ls to b e c o m e e d u c a tio n a lly m o r e p r o g r e s s iv e . Of th o se r e sp o n d in g in t h is m a n n e r , 35% w e r e id e n tifie d w ith th e p r e s c h o o l p u b lic , w h e r e a s th ey r e p r e s e n t o n ly 11% o f th e to ta l r e s p o n ­ d en ts . T he th ird s o u r c e w h ic h e l ic i t e d o p e n -e n d e d c o m m e n ts fr o m r e sp o n d e n ts w a s th e q u e s tio n , "H ave yo u h e a r d a n y th in g bad ab out the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly ? " T h e n u m b e r o f "Y es" and "No" r e s p o n s e s w e r e ta b u la ted in P a r t II o f C h a p ter IV , and i t m a y be r e c a lle d th a t 72% o f th e r e s p o n d e n ts had h e a r d s o m e th in g bad ab ou t the s c h o o ls la t e ly . A n a n a ly s is o f th e w r itte n r e s p o n s e s , e la b o r a tin g on w h at c it iz e n s had h e a r d th a t w a s bad la t e ly , i s s u m m a r iz e d in T ab le 4 - 5 9 . An a n a ly s is o f t h o s e fin d in g s r e v e a ls th a t th e g r e a t e s t n u m b er o f bad th in g s h ea rd c e n t e r s arou n d the r a c ia l p r o b le m s o f the s y s t e m (r e p o r te d 312 t im e s ) . T h is in c lu d e s th e p r e s e n t p lan o f the G rand R a p id s B o a rd of E d u c a tio n to in te g r a t e stu d e n ts and to tr a n s p o r t s tu d e n ts to a c h ie v e th is g o a l. T he p e r c e n t o f e a c h p u b lic re sp o n d in g to t h is q u e s tio n in th is w a s c o n fo r m e d fo r the m o s t p a r t to w h at w ou ld be e x p e c te d , b a s e d on the p o p u la tio n p r o p o r tio n s . The e x c e p tio n to th is w a s a g a in in the p u b lic s c h o o l s e c t o r , w h e r e a c tu a lly 153 (49%) o f the r e s p o n s e s w h ic h w e r e c r it ic a l o f th e s c h o o ls on th is i s s u e c a m e fr o m p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T A B L E 4 -5 9 R esp o n ses by Voting Public to the Question: "Have You Heard Anything Bad about the L ocal Public Schools L ately? If YES, What? " P ublic School C hristian School Catholic School f % f R acial Integration, B ussing, Student U n rest 153 49% 21 Not Enough D iscip lin e and Control 27 47 6 10 4 7 Overcrowded F a c ilitie s , P oor or Unqualified T each ers 33 58 5 9 4 7 % 6% f % 29 9% P reSchool f % N onSchool A ll Respondents f % f 9% 81 27% 312 5 9 16 28 58 3 5 12 21 57 28 T A B L E 4 - 5 9 --C o n tin u e d Weak A dm in­ istr a to r s (P r in c ip a lsC entral Office) 7 32 0 0 3 14 5 23 7 32 22 Poor P rogram 2 13 3 20 4 26 4 26 2 13 15 Vandalism 4 18 1 5 1 5 5 23 11 50 22 Inefficiency (F a c ilitie s, S alaries) 2 18 0 0 2 18 2 18 5 45 11 Lack of Communi cation 6 50 2 17 1 8 0 0 3 25 12 36 45 10 13 6 8 7 9 21 26 80 46% 48 59 10% 158 Other TOTAL 270 8% 54 9% 27% 589 17 4 T w o o th e r c a t e g o r ie s o f r e s p o n s e s w e r e fr e q u e n tly c ite d . T h e s e w e r e "not en ou gh d is c ip lin e and c o n tr o l" (58 r e p l ie s ) and " o v e r c r o w d e d s c h o o ls w ith p o o r and u n q u a lifie d t e a c h e r s " (57 r e p l ie s ) . In b oth of t h e s e r e s p o n s e s th e p e r c e n ta g e o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts who r e sp o n d e d e x c e e d e d t h e ir to ta l p e r c e n ta g e o f r e s p o n d e n ts . In the c a t e g o r y o f "n ot en ou gh d is c ip lin e and c o n tr o l, " 47% o f th o s e re sp o n d in g w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts ; and in th e " o v e r c r o w d e d , p o o r ly sta ffed " c a te g o r y , 58% w e r e fr o m the p u b lic s c h o o l g r o u p . T he p e r c e n ta g e o f o th e r p u b lic s r e sp o n d in g in t h is m a n n e r fo r th e m o s t p a rt r e f le c t e d a p r o p o r tio n a te d is tr ib u tio n . T he f in a l q u e s tio n w h ich s o lic it e d s u b j e c tiv e o p e n -e n d e d r e s p o n s e s a s k e d i f th e r e s p o n d e n ts had h e a r d a n y th in g g o o d ab ou t the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls la t e ly , and i f th e y had h e a r d s o m e th in g g o o d , to s p e c ify w h a t th ey had h e a r d . in clu d ed in T a b le 4 - 6 0 . A s u m m a r y o f th o s e r e s p o n s e s i s It w a s r e p o r te d e a r l i e r th a t 56% o f the r e sp o n d e n ts had h e a r d s o m e th in g g o o d ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h e m o s t fr e q u e n t r e s p o n s e s to t h is q u e s tio n w e r e c a t e ­ g o r iz e d in th r e e g r o u p in g s . O ne o f the g r o u p in g s w a s the p r o b le m of in te g r a tio n , in w h ich 53 r e s p o n d e n ts f e lt th a t th e B o a rd and s t a f f w e r e m a k in g a str o n g e f f o r t a t r e s o lv in g t h is p r o b le m ; s e c o n d ly , p r o g r e s s iv e m e th o d s of e d u c a tio n w e r e id e n tifie d by 51 p e r s o n s . T h e se p e r s o n s b e lie v e d th at th e s y s t e m w a s u tiliz in g m o r e TA BLE 4 -6 0 R esponses by Voting Public to the Question: "Have You Heard Anything Good about the Local Public Schools Lately? If YES, What? " Public School Christian School f % Attempts to R esolve Problem s of Racial Integration 26 50% 2 P ro g ressiv e Education Methods 22 43 5 Quality T eachers 18 45 Support for New Admin, at Union and Super­ intendent 20 63 f % Catholic School f % P reSchool f NonSchool A ll Respondents f % f 27% 53 6 11% 00 % 15 10 3 6 9 18 12 24 51 5 13 4 10 2 5 11 28 40 1 3 3 9 3 9 5 16 32 4% T A B L E 4 - 6 0 - - C o n t in u e d B ussing of Students 11 48 0 0 4 17 4 17 4 17 23 Com m itm ent of Board and Staff to Doing a Good Job 10 32 4 12 2 6 4 12 11 35 31 Special Education and Adult Education P rogram s 11 58 3 16 0 0 1 5 4 21 19 New F a c ilitie s 8 47 1 6 3 18 4 24 1 6 17 Bette r D iscip lin e 7 64 1 9 1 9 1 9 1 9 11 B etter C om ­ m unication 4 40 3 30 1 10 1 10 1 10 10 29 54 5 9 2 4 5 9 13 24 54 38 11% 78 22% W w U w * Other TOTAL 166 49% 30 9% 29 9% 341 177 p r o g r e s s iv e e d u c a tio n a l m e th o d s in c l a s s r o o m s and th u s c r e a tin g a b e tte r p r o g r a m of in s tr u c tio n fo r s tu d e n ts ; and th e th ir d c a te g o r y w a s b e t te r q u a lifie d t e a c h e r s . T h e r e w e r e 40 p e r s o n s w ho f e lt th at the B oard w a s e m p lo y in g b e t te r q u a lifie d t e a c h e r s and o th e r s ta ff m em b ers. A h ig h e r p e r c e n ta g e o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts than any o th er p u b lic r e sp o n d e d both t o ta lly to t h is q u e s tio n (49% o f the to ta l r e s p o n s e s w e r e p u b lic s c h o o l) and a ls o to m o s t o f the in d iv id u a l c a t e g o r ie s in to w h ic h r e s p o n s e s w e r e p la c e d . S u m m a ry o f S u b je c tiv e R e s p o n s e s T h e c o m m e n ts c o m p ile d and a n a ly z e d in th is p a r t w e r e in r e s p o n s e to the fo u r o p e n -e n d e d q u e s tio n s o r s t a t e m e n t s in c lu d e d in the q u e s tio n n a ir e . In g e n e r a l, p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts w e r e both m o r e v e r b a l in t h e ir r e s p o n s e s and m o r e c r i t i c a l and k n o w le d g e a b le ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls than w e r e the m e m b e r s o f any o th e r p u b lic . T he i s s u e s and p r o b le m s w h ich w e r e d is c u s s e d m o s t fr e q u e n tly b y a ll r e sp o n d e n ts w e r e th o s e p e r ta in in g to th e r a c e p r o b le m , b u s s in g of c h ild r e n , c o n tr o l and d is c ip lin e in s c h o o ls , and th e d e s ir e to im p r o v e the q u a lity o f th e e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m . A n u m b er o f r e s p o n s e s w e r e m a d e w h ich in d ic a te d th a t the p r e - s c h o o l r e s id e n t s w e r e m o r e a w a r e o f th e d ep th o f th e p r o b le m s w h ich co n fro n te d the p u b lic s c h o o ls and o f th e s i n c e r e e f f o r t s m a d e 178 by th e B oa rd of E d u ca tio n to r e s o lv e th em than w e r e the c it iz e n s in any o th e r p u b lic . T h ey a r e the p u b lic m o s t su p p o r tiv e of the s c h o o ls . It w a s a p p a r en t that p r e - s c h o o l r e s id e n t s w e r e l e s s c r it ic a l of p r e s e n t p o lic ie s o f the B oard and a ls o the p u b lic m o s t in t e r e s t e d in im p r o v in g th e q u a lity of the p r o g r a m in the p u b lic s c h o o ls . CHAPTER V SUM M ARY, C O N C LU SIO N S, A N D R E C O M M E N D A T IO N S Sum m ary T h is stu d y , an a s s e s s m e n t o f th e a ttitu d e s and v o tin g h a b its c o n c e r n in g s c h o o l i s s u e s o f th e c it iz e n s o f G rand R a p id s , w a s c o n ­ d u cted in o r d e r to p r o v id e th e G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n and it s s t a f f w ith s u g g e s t io n s and r e c o m m e n d a tio n s w h ich w i l l a s s i s t them in p la n n in g and co n d u ctin g fu tu r e m illa g e e l e c t io n s . In o r d e r to a c c o m p lis h th is p u r p o s e , the p lan fo r c o n d u c tin g th e stu d y in c lu d e d the d is tr ib u tio n o f a q u e s tio n n a ir e La a r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s a m p le o f the r e s id e n c e s o f the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o l D is t r ic t . d e n c e s w e r e s t r a t if ie d in to f iv e v o tin g p u b lic s . fo llo w in g : T he r e s i ­ T h e s e w e r e the p u b lic s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , p r e - s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C h r istia n s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s , C a th o lic s c h o o l r e s i d e n c e s , and n o n s c h o o l r e s id e n c e s . A ra n d o m s a m p lin g w a s ta k en o f a p p r o x im a te ly 5% o f a ll r e s i d e n c e s . T h e q u e s tio n n a ir e p e r m itte d the c o lle c t io n o f the n e c e s s a r y r e s p o n s e s to s ix r e s e a r c h q u e s t io n s . 179 T h e s ix q u e s tio n s 180 w e r e s e le c t e d a f te r r e v ie w in g the lit e r a tu r e r e la tin g to the g e n e r a l to p ic o f the stu d y and fo r the r e le v a n c y and a p p lic a b ility o f the q u e s tio n s to the s p e c if ic p u r p o se of th is stu d y . T h e fin d in g s, p r e s e n te d in C h a p ter IV, r e p o r te d both the o b je c tiv e and s u b je c tiv e data o b ta in ed . T he c o n c lu s io n s r e a c h e d by the w r it e r a fte r a s s e s s i n g the fin d in g s a r e id e n tifie d n e x t in th is ch a p te r. F o llo w in g the p r e s e n ta tio n of th e c o n c lu s io n s , the w r it e r m a k e s r e c o m m e n d a tio n s w h ich r e la t e to the p u r p o se o f th e stu d y. The r e c o m m e n d a tio n s a r e b a se d upon the w riter* s in te r p r e ta tio n of the m a jo r fin d in g s and c o n c lu s io n s . C o n c lu s io n s The fin d in g s o f the stu d y le a d o n e to m a k e a n u m b er of c o n c lu s io n s fr o m w h ich a v a r ie t y of r e c o m m e n d a tio n s a r e m a d e . It i s im p o r ta n t th at the c o n c lu s io n s m a d e , and the r e c o m m e n d a tio n s s u g g e s te d , a r e d is tin g u is h e d fr o m e a c h o th e r . c a te g o r iz e d b y t o p ic s . T he c o n c lu s io n s a r e T he to p ic s r e f le c t the g e n e r a l ty p e s of in f o r ­ m a tio n so u g h t fro m the r e sp o n d e n ts in the stu d y . The c a t e g o r ie s a re a s fo llo w s : - - T h e f e e lin g s o f c it iz e n s tow ard the s c h o o ls and th e ir in t e r e s t in the s c h o o ls - - T h e p a r tic ip a tio n o f c itiz e n s in the s c h o o ls 181 - - M e t h o d s of c it iz e n c o m m u n ic a tio n w ith th e s c h o o ls - - T h e v o tin g h a b its o f c it iz e n s in s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s - - T h e o r g a n iz a tio n s s u p p o r tiv e o f th e s c h o o ls - - T h e k n o w le d g e le v e l o f c it iz e n s a b o u t the s c h o o ls W h ere i t w a s a p p lic a b le , th e w r it e r m a d e a fu r th e r d e lin e a tio n w ith in e a c h c a t e g o r y by id e n tify in g th e c o n c lu s io n a s g e n e r a l o r s p e c if i c . A c o n c lu s io n i s s p e c if i c i f it a p p lie s to a p a r t ic u la r v o tin g p u b lic o r o th e r s in g le g ro u p o f r e s p o n d e n ts id e n tifie d in the stu d y; o t h e r w is e , th e c o n c lu s io n s ap p ly g e n e r a lly to th e to ta l p o p u la tio n o f the stu d y . A fte r r e v ie w in g th e fin d in g s , th e w r it e r m a d e the fo llo w in g c o n c lu s io n s : T he F e e lin g s o f C it iz e n s to w a rd the S c h o o ls and t h e ir I n t e r e s t in the S c h o o ls G e n e ra l: 1. M o s t o f the c it iz e n s o f th e c o m m u n ity f e e l th a t the p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e d o in g a s a t is f a c t o r y job o f e d u c a tin g the young p e o p le o f th e c o m m u n ity . 2. N e ith e r th e v o tin g p u b lic o f th e c it iz e n n o r th e le v e l o f s c h o o lin g th a t h e h a s c o m p le te d a f f e c t s how h e p e r c e iv e s th e q u a lity o f th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . 182 3. M any c it iz e n s f e e l that p u b lic s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls a r e u n con cern ed w ith w h at they (the c itiz e n s ) think. 4. M o st c itiz e n s f e e l that th ey a r e en co u ra g e d to u s e the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls . S p e cific: 1. M o re C a th o lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts f e e l that the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls a r e l e s s than ad eq u ate by c o m p a r iso n w ith o th er s c h o o l s y s t e m s than do the c itiz e n s in the o th er fo u r p u b lic s. 2. M o re p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts r a te the lo c a l p u b lic s c h o o ls fa v o r a b ly w hen co m p a red to o th e r s c h o o l s y s t e m s than do the c it iz e n s in the o th er four p u b lic s. 3. P u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e m o r e in te r e s te d in the o p era tio n o f th e p u b lic s c h o o ls than a r e the c it iz e n s in the o th e r fou r p u b lic s. 4. M o re C a th o lic s c h o o l r e sp o n d e n ts f e e l that p u b lic s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls a r e u n c o n c ern ed w ith w hat th ey think than do the c it iz e n s in the o th e r fo u r p u b lic s. The P a r tic ip a tio n o f C itiz e n s in the S c h o o ls G en eral: 1. M any c it iz e n s , although th ey e x p r e s s an in t e r e s t in the p u b lic s c h o o ls , and th ey d is c u s s th e s e s c h o o ls a g r e a t d e a l 183 w ith o t h e r s , do not v i s i t the s c h o o ls ; n o r do th e y b e c o m e a c t iv e ly in v o lv e d in s c h o o l fu n c tio n s . 2. A d u lt e v e n in g r e c r e a t io n i s th e a c t iv it y d e s ir e d m o s t fr e q u e n tly b y c it iz e n s a s o n e in w h ic h th e y w ou ld lik e to p a r tic ip a te . 3. N ew te a c h in g m e th o d s , o p e r a tin g c o s t s o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m , and th e s c h o o l b u ild in g p r o g r a m a r e p h a s e s o f th e s c h o o l o p e r a tio n about w h ic h m a n y c i t iz e n s d e s ir e m o r e in fo r m a tio n . S p e c ific : 1. P r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e m o r e d e s ir o u s o f p a r tic ip a tin g on s c h o o l p o lic y a d v is o r y c o m m it t e e s than a r e the c it iz e n s fr o m any o th e r p u b lic. 2. P r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e m o r e w illin g to d is s e m in a t e i n f o r ­ m a tio n to o t h e r s about th e p u b lic s c h o o ls than a r e the c it iz e n s fro m an y o th e r p u b lic . C o m m u n ic a tio n M ed ia U s e d by C it iz e n s w ith the S c h o o ls G e n e r a l: 1. F o r m o s t c i t iz e n s The G rand R a p id s P r e s s i s th e m o s t im p o r ta n t m e a n s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n th ro u g h w h ich th e y le a r n ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . 184 2. T e le v is io n , c h ild r e n , fr ie n d s and n e ig h b o r s, and s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s a r e o th e r l e s s im p o r ta n t s o u c r e s o f c o m m u n ic a ­ tio n through w h ich c it iz e n s le a r n about the p u b lic s c h o o ls . 3. The le a s t e f f e c t iv e m e a n s of co m m u n ica tin g in fo r m a tio n to c it iz e n s ab ou t the s c h o o ls i s th rou gh s c h o o l p r o g r a m s and s p e e c h e s by p u b lic s c h o o l o f f ic ia ls . 4. C itiz e n s h e a r m o r e bad th in g s ab ou t th e p u b lic s c h o o ls than th ey h e a r good th in g s. The V oting H a b its o f C itiz e n s in S ch o o l M illa g e E le c t io n s G en eral: 1. M o st c it iz e n s f e e l th a t the le v e l o f s c h o o l ta x e s in Grand R a p id s i s ab out r ig h t. 2. The h ig h e r the le v e l o f s c h o o lin g c o m p le te d by the c itiz e n , the g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th at h e f e e l s h is s c h o o l ta x e s a r e too lo w , the g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d that h e v o ted fa v o r a b ly in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s , the g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th at he w ou ld v o te fa v o r a b ly to con tin u e th e p r e s e n t le v e l of m illa g e , and the g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th at he w ill v o te fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c ifie d p u r p o s e s . 3. The m o r e th at the c it iz e n h a s p a r tic ip a te d in p u b lic s c h o o l a f f a ir s , the g r e a t e r th e lik e lih o o d that h e v o te d fa v o r a b ly in 185 p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s , the g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th at h e w ill v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a c o n tin u a tio n o f the p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e , and th e g r e a t e r the lik e lih o o d th a t h e w ill v o te addi tio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s . 4. C it iz e n s a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly in fu tu r e m illa g e e le c t io n s i f the m o n e y a p p r o p r ia te d i s u s e d fo r s p e c ia l e d u ­ c a tio n p r o g r a m s , a d u lt r e m e d ia l and tr a d e p r o g r a m s , m o r e in d iv id u a liz e d in s t r u c t io n , s m a l l e r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n , an ex te n d e d u s e o f s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s fo r a ll c i t iz e n s , and fo r the c o n s tr u c tio n o f n ew b u ild in g f a c i l i t i e s . 5. C it iz e n s a r e l e a s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly in fu tu r e m illa g e e le c t io n s i f the m o n e y a p p r o p r ia te d i s u s e d fo r an exp an d ed a t h le tic p r o g r a m , in d o o r sw im m in g p o o ls , and an ex te n d e d s c h o o l y e a r fo r s tu d e n ts S p e c ific : 1. M o r e C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts f e e l th at s c h o o l t a x e s a r e too h ig h than do th e c it iz e n s fr o m an y o th e r p u b lic . 2. M o r e p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts f e e l th a t s c h o o l t a x e s a r e to o low than do the c it iz e n s fr o m an y o th e r p u b lic . 3. M o r e c it iz e n s in the p r o f e s s io n a l and b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l w o rk c a t e g o r ie s f e e l th a t t h e ir s c h o o l t a x e s a r e too lo w than do the c it iz e n s in o th e r w o rk c a t e g o r ie s . M o r e n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s than p r o p e r ty o w n e r s f e e l th at s c h o o l t a x e s a r e to o lo w . T he v o tin g p u b lic m o s t su p p o r tiv e in p a s t m illa g e e le c t io n s i s th at o f p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T h e C a th o lic s c h o o l p u b lic i s th e g ro u p w h ich h a s b een l e a s t s u p p o r tiv e in p a s t m illa g e e l e c t io n s . A g r e a t e r p e r c e n ta g e o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts did n o t v o te in p r e v io u s m illa g e e le c t io n s th an did th e c it iz e n s in a n y o th e r p u b lic . A g r e a t e r p e r c e n ta g e o f h o u s e w iv e s did n o t v o te in p r e v io u s m illa g e e le c t io n s than did c i t iz e n s in any o th e r w ork c a t e ­ gory. M o r e p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly to c o n ­ tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e than a r e the c it iz e n s in a n y o th e r p u b lic . F e w e r C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly to c o n tin u e the p r e s e n t le v e l o f m illa g e than a r e th e c it iz e n s in an y o th e r p u b lic . C it iz e n s in the w o rk c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s i n e s s m a n a g e r ia l, and s a l e s a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fo r a c o n tin u a ­ tion o f the p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e , and t h e s e s a m e w o rk c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , w ith th e a d d itio n o f h o u s e w iv e s , a r e m o s t 187 lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u rp oses. 12. M o r e p r o p e r ty o w n e r s than n o n -p r o p e r ty o w n e r s a r e lik e ly to v o te both fo r a co n tin u a tio n o f th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e and fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s . 13. R e s id e n t s w ho h a v e liv e d in G rand R a p id s fr o m 2 - 5 y e a r s a r e th o s e m o s t lik e ly to v o te fo r a c o n tin u a tio n o f th e p r e s e n t l e v e l o f m illa g e . 14. P r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e m o r e lik e ly to v o te fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s than a r e th e c it iz e n s in an y o th e r p u b lic . 15. C a th o lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e l e a s t lik e ly to v o te fa v o r a b ly fo r a d d itio n a l m illa g e fo r s p e c if ie d p u r p o s e s than a r e the c i t iz e n s in an y o th e r p u b lic . 1 B. T h e id e a l v o t e r in t e r m s o f th e lik e lih o o d o f h is su p p o rt in fu tu r e s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s i s the y ou n g p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n t w h o s e w o r k c l a s s if ic a t io n i s th at o f a p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s i n e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, s a l e s , o r h o u s e w ife , w ho h a s liv e d in the c o m m u n ity fr o m 2 - 5 y e a r s , w h o h a s a tta in e d a c o lle g e e d u c a tio n , and w ho h a s p a r tic ip a te d in p u b lic s c h o o l a ffa ir s . 188 O r g a n iz a tio n s S u p p o rtiv e o f th e S c h o o ls P a r e n t - t e a c h e r a s s o c ia t io n s , the G rand R a p id s C h a m b er o f C o m m e r c e (and J u n io r C h a m b er o f C o m m e r c e ), lo c a l S e r v ic e C lu b s ( e s p e c ia lly th e K iw a n is C lu b s), and c e r ta in P r o te s ta n t c h u r c h e s a r e o r g a n iz e d g r o u p s w ith in the co m m u n ity w h ich c it iz e n s id e n tify a s b ein g su p p o r tiv e o f p u b lic s c h o o ls . The K n ow led g e L e v e l of C itiz e n s ab ou t the S c h o o ls G en era l: 1. A g e n e r a l s im ila r it y o f k n o w led g e le v e l ab out the p u b lic s c h o o ls e x i s t s a m o n g the c it iz e n s . Of the in fo r m a tio n so u g h t, c it iz e n s a r e le a s t k n o w le d g e a b le ab out th e p r e s e n t p o lic y o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m r e g a r d in g the tr a n sp o r ta tio n o f stu d e n ts. 2. T he p o lic y o f the G rand R a p id s S ch o o l S y ste m ab ou t w h ich the c it iz e n s a r e m o s t c r it ic a l i s th a t r e g a r d in g th e r a c ia l in te g r a tio n o f s tu d e n ts , in clu d in g the tr a n sp o r ta tio n o f stu d e n ts fo r in te g r a tio n p u r p o s e s . 3. C itiz e n s a r e m o s t su p p o r tiv e o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls fo r th e ir a tte m p ts to do a good job , to r e s o lv e p r o b le m s , and fo r t h e ir a tte m p ts to b e c o m e e d u c a tio n a lly m o r e p r o g r e s s iv e . 189 S p e c ific : 1. P u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts a r e m o r e e n lig h te n e d , m o r e c r it ic a l, and m o r e v o c a l a b o u t the d a ily o p e r a tio n o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls than a r e th e c it iz e n s fr o m an y o th e r p u b lic . R e c o m m e n d a ti o n s A ft e r r e v ie w in g and a n a ly z in g the fin d in g s o f the stu d y and the c o n c lu s io n s d e r iv e d fr o m t h e s e fin d in g s , th e w r it e r p r e s e n t s the fo llo w in g r e c o m m e n d a tio n s fo r c o n s id e r a tio n b y the G rand R a p id s B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n a n d /o r the s t a ff o f the p u b lic s c h o o ls in G rand R a p id s: 1. T h e m a jo r e m p h a s is of tim e and m o n e y in p la n n in g fu tu re m illa g e c a m p a ig n s sh o u ld b e sp e n t in id e n tify in g c it iz e n s o f G ran d R a p id s w ho a r e m o s t lik e ly to v o t e fa v o r a b ly in m illa g e e l e c t io n s . L itt le e f f o r t sh o u ld b e ex p en d ed to c o n v e r t th o s e c i t iz e n s w ho m o s t lik e ly w i l l o p p o s e o p e r a tin g m illa g e r e q u e s t s . 2. T h e e m p h a s is in fu tu r e m illa g e c a m p a ig n s sh o u ld b e " p e o p le - c e n t e r e d . " In fo r m a tio n a l m a t e r ia ls ab ou t the e le c t io n sh o u ld d e s c r ib e th e n eed and v a lu e o f s p e c if i c p r o g r a m s and th e b e n e f its o f t h e s e p r o g r a m s to th e c o m ­ m u n ity a s w e ll a s to th e p a r t ic ip a n ts . S p e c if ic o p e r a tio n a l 190 p r o g r a m s sh o u ld in c lu d e s p e c ia l e d u c a tio n , a d u lt r e m e d ia l and tr a d e p r o g r a m s , in d iv id u a liz e d in s t r u c t io n fo r c h ild r e n , s m a l l e r c l a s s e s fo r c h ild r e n , new s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s , and the e x te n d e d u s e o f p u b lic s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s fo r a l l c i t iz e n s . 3. B e c a u s e c it iz e n s w ho h a v e a tta in e d the h ig h e s t l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g a r e m o s t s u p p o r tiv e o f s c h o o l m illa g e e l e c t io n s , th e s t a f f and th e B o a rd sh o u ld e n c o u r a g e , in e v e r y p o s s ib le w a y , c it iz e n s o f a l l a g e s to m a x im iz e th e a v a ila b le e d u c a ­ tio n a l p r o g r a m s in o r d e r to a c h ie v e a s h ig h a le v e l o f e d u ­ c a tio n a s p o s s ib le . 4. T h e B o a rd and s t a f f sh o u ld c o n s id e r th e d e v e lo p m e n t and e x t e n s io n o f the c o m m u n ity s c h o o l c o n c e p t w ith th e g o a l th a t a ll p u b lic s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s sh o u ld b e a v a ila b le to c i t iz e n s fo r m o r e e x t e n s iv e e v e n in g and s u m m e r u s e . G r e a t e r p a r tic ip a tio n o f c it iz e n s in p u b lic s c h o o l a c t i v i t i e s and a c l o s e r c it iz e n id e n tific a tio n w ith th e s c h o o ls i s the r e a s o n fo r r e c o m m e n d in g th e e x t e n s io n o f the c o m m u n ity s c h o o l c o n c e p t. 5. I m m e d ia te e f f o r t sh o u ld b e m a d e to s e e k g r e a t e r i n v o l v e ­ m e n t and p a r tic ip a tio n o f both p u b lic s c h o o l p a r e n ts and p r e ­ s c h o o l p a r e n ts . T h e s e a r e th e p u b lic s w ho m o s t lik e ly w ill su p p o r t fu tu re m illa g e v o t e s . E v e n in g r e c r e a t io n a l 19 1 a c t i v i t i e s a r e a m e a n s b y w h ich in v o lv e m e n t o f t h e s e g r o u p s sh o u ld b e e n c o u r a g e d . A n o th e r p r o c e d u r e to p r o ­ m o te p a r tic ip a tio n w ou ld b e th rou gh th e e s t a b lis h m e n t o f n e ig h b o r h o o d d is c u s s io n g r o u p s . D is c u s s io n to p ic s sh o u ld in c lu d e n ew te a c h in g m e th o d s , o p e r a tin g c o s t s o f th e s c h o o l s y s t e m , and the new s c h o o l b u ild in g p r o g r a m . P r e -sc h o o l p a r e n t s , e s p e c ia ll y , a r e a n x io u s to s e r v e on c itiz e n a d v is o r y c o m m it t e e s w h ic h the B o a rd a p p o in ts fr e q u e n tly . Such c o m m it t e e s w ou ld b e a n o th e r m eth o d o f e n c o u r a g in g the p a r tic ip a tio n o f p r e - s c h o o l p a r e n ts . 6. O p en lin e s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n sh o u ld b e e s t a b lis h e d w ith T he G rand R a p id s P r e s s . M o s t c it iz e n s u s e the P r e s s a s a p r im a r y s o u r c e o f in fo r m a tio n to le a r n a b o u t the p u b lic s c h o o ls ; t h e r e f o r e , any p r o c e d u r e s w h ich a r e e s t a b lis h e d b e tw e e n the p u b lic s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l and the v a r io u s c o m ­ m u n ic a tio n m e d ia sh o u ld e m p h a s iz e a p o s it iv e r e la tio n s h ip b e tw e e n the s c h o o ls and the P r e s s . T e le v is io n , s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s , and the c h ild r e n t h e m s e lv e s a r e l e s s im p o r ta n t s o u r c e s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n b e tw e e n th e c it iz e n s and th e ir s c h o o ls . A m a jo r c o m m itm e n t o f t im e , m o n e y , and p e r s o n n e l sh o u ld b e m a d e by the B o a rd and s t a f f to a c c o m p lis h th e fo llo w in g : 192 A. K eep a ll n e w s m e d ia and o th e r c o m m u n ic a tio n s o u r c e s in fo r m e d on a r e g u la r b a s is ab ou t th e g o o d th in g s that a r e o c c u r r in g d a ily in the p u b lic s c h o o ls . B. D e le g a te a s t a ff p e r s o n the r e s p o n s ib ilit y fo r k eep in g th e c o m m u n ic a tio n m e d ia both in fo r m e d and in v o lv e d in the p lan n in g o f fu tu re m illa g e c a m p a ig n s . C. A p p oin t a s t e e r in g c o m m itte e o f r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s o f the P r e s s , t e le v is io n , s c h o o l e m p lo y e e g r o u p s , and s t u ­ d e n ts to a d v is e and c o u n s e l the B o a rd and s ta ff on how b e s t to c o m m u n ic a te the n e e d s o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m to the c it iz e n s and the b e n e fits to th e co m m u n ity w h ich s h a ll r e s u lt fr o m a fa v o r a b le v o te in fo r th c o m in g m illa g e e le c t io n s . D. D e v e lo p a c lo s e lia is o n w ith n e w s r e p o r te r s a s w e ll a s the e d it o r ia l s t a ff s of The G rand R a p id s P r e s s and the a r e a t e le v is io n s t a tio n s . E. S eek e d it o r ia l e n d o r s e m e n t fo r th e ca m p a ig n fro m The G rand R a p id s P r e s s , a r e a t e le v is io n s t a tio n s , and a r e a n e w s p a p e r s ( e s p e c ia lly The G rand R a p id s T i m e s , T he C a th o lic W ee k ly , and The I n te r p r e te r ). T he in v o lv e m e n t and su p p o rt o f stu d e n t n e w s p a p e r s ( c o lle g e and h igh s c h o o l) sh o u ld a ls o b e so u g h t. 193 7. C r e a te n eig h b o r h o o d m illa g e c a m p a ig n h e a d q u a r te r s in s e le c t e d e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls . T h is sh o u ld b e d one by id e n tify in g th e a r e a s o f th e c ity in w h ic h r e s id e n t s liv e w ho ten d to b e the m o s t s u p p o r tiv e in s c h o o l m illa g e e le c t io n s . T h e s e a r e r e s id e n t s w ho h a v e a tta in e d the h ig h e r l e v e l s o f s c h o o lin g and w h o s e w o rk id e n tific a tio n s a r e g e n e r a lly t h o s e o f p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s in e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, and s a l e s . T h e c ity c e n s u s t r a c t s and e le m e n t a r y s c h o o l a tte n d a n c e b o u n d a r ie s th a t l i e w ith in th e G rand R a p id s S ch o o l D is t r ic t a r e id e n tifie d in A p p en d ix G. A t l e a s t on e p u b lic e le m e n ta r y s c h o o l i s lo c a te d in e a c h c e n s u s t r a c t . A ra n k in g o f th e c e n s u s t r a c t s b y a v e r a g e f a m ily in c o m e and m e d ia n s c h o o l y e a r s c o m p le te d b y a d u lts i s found in A p p en d ix H . F o r th e p u r p o s e s of th is stu d y , it i s a s s u m e d that th e r e i s a r e la t io n ­ s h ip b e tw e e n f a m ily in c o m e and w o rk id e n tific a tio n ( i . e . , th e h ig h e r th e f a m ily in c o m e , th e g r e a t e r the p r o b a b ility th a t the h ea d o f th e h o u se h o ld w ill c l a s s i f y h im s e lf a s a p r o f e s s io n a l, b u s i n e s s - m a n a g e r ia l, o r s a l e s p e r s o n ). In F ig u r e 5 - 1 , c e n s u s t r a c t s and p u b lic e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls a r e id e n tifie d in w h ic h both th e m e d ia n l e v e l o f in c o m e and m e d ia n l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g of c it iz e n s w ho r e s id e th e r e e x c e e d the m e d ia n in c o m e and m e d ia n e d u c a tio n a l l e v e l o f c it iz e n s in th e to ta l c ity . 194 In c o m e Rank S c h o o lin g Rank A rea C a m p a ig n H e a d q u a r te r s 1 6 9 R iv e r s id e E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 2 10 8 A b e r d e e n E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 13 12 16 W e stw o o d E le m e n ta r y S c h o o l 19 8 5 H i l l c r e s t E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 27 3 2 O ttaw a H il ls E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 30 17 17 31 5 3 32 14 12 33 4 4 34 9 10 S h aw n ee P a r k E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 36 13 15 H u ff E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 37 1 1 M ic h ig a n Oak E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 39 2 6 K e n -O -S h a E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l 47 7 11 D ic k in s o n E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l M u lic k P a r k E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l B u rto n E le m e n ta r y S c h o o l B r o o k s id e E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l C o v e ll E le m e n ta r y S ch o o l FIG U R E 5 -1 S e le c te d C e n s u s T r a c t s in w h ic h R e s id e n t s M o s t L ik e ly W ill V o te F a v o r a b ly in F u tu r e S c h o o l M illa g e E le c t io n s 19 5 T he e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls id e n tifie d in F ig u r e 5 -1 a r e th e s c h o o ls th a t a r e r e c o m m e n d e d to be a r e a m illa g e c a m ­ p a ig n h e a d q u a r te r s . In e a c h o f th e e le m e n t a r y s c h o o ls s e le c t e d a s an a r e a c a m p a ig n h e a d q u a r te r s , a te a m sh o u ld b e fo r m u la te d to c o o r d in a te a ll a c t i v i t i e s r e la t e d to the m illa g e c a m p a ig n . M e m b e r s o f t h is te a m sh o u ld in c lu d e m e m b e r s o f the lo c a l P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t io n , s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s ( e s p e c ia lly t e a c h e r s and stu d e n t t e a c h e r s ) , and p e r h a p s s tu d e n ts t h e m ­ s e lv e s . A d d itio n a l te a m m e m b e r s sh o u ld in c lu d e p r e ­ s c h o o l p a r e n ts r e s id in g in th a t c e n s u s t r a c t . The te a m 's p u r p o s e w o u ld b e to k e e p r e s id e n t s w ith in the a r e a in fo r m e d a b o u t the c a m p a ig n n e e d s and b e n e f it s , to in v o lv e the c it iz e n s in the a r e a in th e p la n n in g and im p le m e n tin g o f th e c a m p a ig n , to e m p h a s iz e the im p o r ta n c e o f c it iz e n s r e g i s t e r ­ in g to v o te ( e s p e c ia lly p a r e n ts o f p r e - s c h o o l c h ild r e n ), and to w o rk o u t a p r o c e s s w h e r e b y th o s e th a t a r e r e g is t e r e d to v o te a c t u a lly c a s t t h e ir v o te on e le c t io n d a y . W r itte n r e m in d e r s fr o m the a r e a te a m , and te le p h o n e c o n ta c ts by P T A m e m b e r s , to a l l r e s id e n t s o f the a r e a a r e m e th o d s by w h ic h a h ig h tu rn o u t o f v o t e r s w o u ld be e n c o u r a g e d . The a r e a t e a m s lo c a te d in the s e le c t e d e le m e n ta r y s c h o o ls sh o u ld w o rk th ro u g h a c ity - w id e c it iz e n m illa g e 19 6 c o o r d in a tin g c o m m itt e e . B o a r d and s t a f f m e m b e r s sh o u ld s e r v e a s r e s o u r c e p e r s o n n e l to p r o v id e in fo r m a tio n ab ou t th e s c h o o ls and c a m p a ig n p le d g e s to b oth th e c e n t r a l c o ­ o r d in a tin g c o m m itte e and th e n e ig h b o r h o o d a r e a t e a m s . C o m p o s itio n o f the c it y - w id e c o m m itt e e sh o u ld c o n s is t o f r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s o f th e f iv e p u b lic s , a s w e ll a s a c r o s s s e c t io n o f P a r e n t - T e a c h e r A s s o c ia t io n le a d e r s , s c h o o l e m p lo y e e s , th e C h a m b er o f C o m m e r c e , P r o t e s t a n t c h u r c h l e a d e r s , and s e r v i c e clu b p e r s o n n e l. 8. A c o n ta c t p r o g r a m w ith c it iz e n s new to th e c ity o f G rand R a p id s sh o u ld be e s t a b lis h e d b y s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l. G e n e r a lly , m a n y o f t h e s e c it iz e n s a r e y o u n g e r o n e s w ith p r e - s c h o o l c h ild r e n , and th u s m a y n ot r e a d ily id e n tify w ith th e s c h o o ls . C o n ta c t fr o m s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l sh o u ld b e in th e fo r m o f an in it ia l w e lc o m e to the c ity , in c lu d in g a n o v e r ­ v ie w o f th e s c h o o l p r o g r a m and h ow th is p r o g r a m s e r v e s and b e n e fits n ew r e s id e n t s . F o llo w -u p c o n ta c t sh o u ld b e p lan n ed s o th a t c it iz e n s n ew to th e c o m m u n ity b e g in e a r ly in th e ir r e s id e n c y to id e n tify w ith th e s c h o o ls and to p a r t ic ip a t e in s c h o o l a c t i v i t i e s . C o o r d in a tio n o f su c h a c o n ta c t p r o g r a m sh o u ld b e w o r k e d ou t w ith o r g a n iz a tio n s th a t o fte n h a v e a n in it ia l c o n ta c t w ith n ew r e s id e n t s . 197 O r g a n iz a tio n s th a t s e r v e th is fu n ctio n in c lu d e : the G rand R a p id s R e a lt o r s , the C h a m b er of C o m m e r c e , and the W e lc o m e W agon. 9. It i s a p p a ren t to the w r it e r a fte r a n a ly zin g a ll th e d ata that one o f th e im p o r ta n t c o n c e r n s o f m a n y c it iz e n s i s th e ir la c k o f id e n tity w ith the s c h o o ls . C o n seq u e n tly , m a n y c it iz e n s do n o t u n d er sta n d the p r o b le m s fa c e d by the B o a r d . T here­ fo r e i t i s r e c o m m e n d e d that a lia is o n c itiz e n a d v is o r y c o m m itte e to th e B o a rd and c e n tr a l s t a f f sh o u ld b e a p p oin ted . T he fu n ctio n o f th is a d v is o r y c o m m itte e w ould b e to r e a c t to new p o lic ie s (p r io r to ad option ) co n tem p la ted by th e B oard and to a d v is e the B o a rd and s t a ff of p o s s ib le s o lu tio n s to p r o b le m s co n fro n tin g the s c h o o l s y s t e m . 10. T h e r e sh o u ld b e e s ta b lis h e d a co n tin u o u s p r o c e s s through w h ic h feed b a ck fro m a r e p r e s e n ta tiv e sa m p le o f c itiz e n s can b e ch a n n eled to th e B oard of E d u ca tio n and the c e n tr a l s t a ff . T h e a p p ro a ch o f s o lic it in g c it iz e n o p in io n and r e a c tio n cou ld be s im ila r to that u se d in th is stu d y . T he c o m p u te r c e n te r o f the B oard m a k e s id e n tific a tio n o f r e s i ­ d e n ts e a s i l y a c c e s s i b l e . In m a n y in s t a n c e s , s u b je c tiv e c o m m e n ts am on g the r e tu r n e d q u e s tio n n a ir e s r e v e a le d that th is w a s the f i r s t tim e th at the c i t i z e n ' s a d v ic e and op in ion 198 had b e e n so u g h t b y a n y o n e fr o m the s c h o o l s y s t e m r e la t iv e to th e o p e r a tio n o f the s c h o o ls ; h e w a s a p p r e c ia tiv e of t h is fa c t. Such c o m m e n ts p r e v a ile d r e g a r d le s s o f th e v o tin g p u b lic d e s ig n a tio n o f the r e sp o n d e n t, th e l e v e l o f s c h o o lin g th a t h e had c o m p le te d , th e ty p e o f w o r k that h e p e r fo r m e d , o r w h e th e r h e w a s c r i t i c a l o r c o m p lim e n ta r y ab ou t the o p e r a tio n o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m . T he ty p e o f a ttitu d in a l a s s e s s m e n t m a d e in th is stu d y w ou ld p r o v id e n e e d e d i n f o r ­ m a tio n and f a c t s th a t w ill b e h e lp fu l to the B o a rd and s t a f f in p la n n in g m illa g e e le c t io n s . In d eed , th is ty p e o f a s s e s s ­ m e n t m a y en h a n c e th e p e r c e p tio n s th a t G rand R a p id s v o t e r s h a v e o f t h e ir s c h o o l s y s t e m . 11. T he c i t iz e n s o f G rand R a p id s a r e in t e r e s t e d in th e e d u c a ­ tio n a l p r o g r a m o f th e p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h ey a r e a ls o q u ite k n o w le d g e a b le a b o u t th e s c h o o l p r o g r a m and ab ou t th e p r c v a ilin g p o lic i e s u n d er w h ich th e s c h o o l s y s t e m o p e r a t e s . It a p p e a r s th a t w h a t th e p e o p le d o n o t u n d e r sta n d i s the "why" th a t c e r t a in p o lic i e s a r e im p le m e n te d , n o r do th ey u n d e r sta n d th e lo n g -r a n g e g o a ls o f the s c h o o l s y s t e m . O ne illu s t r a t io n o f a p r o b le m th a t p e o p le do n ot u n d e r sta n d i s r a c ia l in te g r a tio n and th e r o le o f the p u b lic s c h o o l in it s r e s o lu t io n . It i s a p p a r e n t fr o m th e s u b j e c tiv e r e s p o n s e s o f 199 th e c it iz e n s th a t m u c h a n x ie ty , c o n fu s io n , f e a r , and m is u n d e r s ta n d in g e x i s t a m o n g th em r e la t iv e to th is s in g le p r o b le m . T h e r e f o r e , a r u m o r c o n tr o l c e n t e r sh o u ld be e s t a b lis h e d and o p e r a te d by s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l w ho ca n e it h e r a n s w e r q u e s tio n s o f a c o n c e r n e d c it iz e n o r r e f e r h im to the p r o p e r p e r s o n o r o f fic e w h e r e the c it iz e n can r e c e i v e a c l a r i f i c a ­ tio n o f h is c o n c e r n . A w e ll- p u b lic iz e d a d d r e s s and te le p h o n e n u m b e r in it ia lly co u ld b e th e m e a n s th ro u g h w h ic h a c it iz e n co u ld r e c e iv e in fo r m a tio n . O th er t y p e s o f c o m m u n ic a tio n w ith c it iz e n s cou ld b e d e v e lo p e d th ro u g h th e r u m o r c o n tr o l ce n ter . F o r in s t a n c e , a d a ily ta p ed te le p h o n e m e s s a g e fr o m the S u p er in ten d en t or o th e r k ey a d m in is t r a t iv e o f f ic ia ls co u ld b e m a d e a v a ila b le to both s t a f f m e m b e r s and c i t iz e n s , in fo r m in g th em o f r e c e n t e v e n t s in the s c h o o l s y s t e m o r c u r r e n t e d u c a tio n a l p r o g r a m s . 12. T h e fin a l r e c o m m e n d a tio n o f t h is stu d y c e n t e r s arou n d the im p lic a t io n s fo r fu r th e r r e s e a r c h and stu d y r e la te d to m illa g e v o t e s in G rand R a p id s. A g r e a t e r in -d e p th a s s e s s ­ m e n t o f th e v o tin g p u b lic s w ith in the s c h o o l d i s t r i c t o f G rand R a p id s sh o u ld b e m a d e . Such an a s s e s s m e n t sh o u ld in c lu d e th e v a r ia b le s o f r a c e , a g e , and g e o g r a p h ic a l 200 lo c a tio n o f c e r t a in g r o u p s of r e s id e n t s , and th e e f f e c t of t h e s e v a r ia b le s u pon people* s a ttitu d e s and v o tin g h a b its . F o r in s t a n c e , th e r e w a s no a tte m p t th rou gh t h is stu d y to id e n tify th e g e o g r a p h ic a l a r e a o f th e c ity in w h ich s c h o o l p a r e n ts liv e w ho a r e m o s t c r it ic a l (o r m o r e c o m p li­ m e n ta r y ) o f th e ir s c h o o ls . Such a fin d in g w o u ld b e h e lp fu l to s c h o o l p e r s o n n e l in d e v e lo p in g b e tte r w a y s o f co m m u n i c a tio n w ith the p a r e n ts and in a s s e s s i n g th e n e e d s o f the s c h o o l p r o g r a m in th a t a r e a o f the c ity . T h e w r it e r h o p e s th a t t h is stu d y c o n tr ib u te d , in s o m e s p e c if ic a s p e c t s , to w a rd a b e t te r u n d e r sta n d in g by the G rand R a p id s B oard o f E d u c a tio n and i t s s t a f f ab ou t the f e e lin g s and a ttitu d e s o f the c i t iz e n s o f G rand R a p id s to w a r d t h e ir p u b lic s c h o o ls . T h e stu d y m a y s e r v e a s a so u n d in g b o a rd to a s s i s t the B o a rd and s t a f f in m a in ­ ta in in g a q u a lity p r o g r a m o f e d u c a tio n in the G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . In a b r o a d e r c o n te x t, i t i s h op ed th a t the fin d in g s fr o m th e stu d y m a y b e an in c e n tiv e to fu tu r e in v e s t ig a t o r s to co n d u ct s im ila r r e s e a r c h in o th e r c o m m u n it ie s . In t h is w a y su c h s t u d ie s m a y aid in the a d v a n c e m e n t o f s c h o o l a d m in is tr a tio n in g e n e r a l and a s s i s t in p r o m o tin g u n d e r sta n d in g b e tw e e n the p e o p le and th e ir s c h o o ls . BIB L IO G R A PH Y B IB L IO G R A PH Y B ooks B e s t , Joh n W . R e s e a r c h in E d u c a tio n . E n g le w o o d C lif f s , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 1959. B la c k s tr o m , C h a r le s H. , and H u r sh , G e r a ld D . N o r th w e a te r n U n iv e r s it y P r e s s , 1 9 6 3 . Survey R e s e a r c h . C a r te r , R ic h a r d F . , and O d e ll, W illia m R . T he S tr u c tu r e and P r o c e s s o f S c h o o l-C o m m u n ity R e la t io n s . S ta n fo rd , C a lifo r n ia : S tan ford U n iv e r s it y P r e s s , 1 9 6 6 . G ood, C a r te r V . E s s e n t i a l s o f E d u c a tio n a l R e s e a r c h . A p p le to n -C e n t u r y -C r o f t s , I n c ., 1966. N ew Y ork : H a r r in g to n , J o h n H . How to A d m in is t e r a S c h o o l Bond o r T ax E le c t io n I n fo r m a tio n a l P r o g r a m . E n g le w o o d C lif f s , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 19 6 7 . Horn , G u n n ar. P u b lic S c h o o l P u b lic it y . in g C o m p a n y , 19 4 8 . N ew Y ork : K in d red , L e s l i e W . How to T e ll the S c h o o l S to r y . N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c ., 1 9 6 0 . In o r P u b lis h ­ E n g le w o o d C lif f s , K in d red , L e s l i e W . S c h o o l P u b lic R e la t io n s . E n g le w o o d C lif f s , N ew J e r s e y : P r e n t ic e - H a ll, I n c . , 1 9 5 7 . L y d e n s, Z . Z . , E d ito r . T he S to r y of G rand R a p id s . K r e g e l P u b lic a tio n , 1 9 6 6 . R e e d e r , W ard G. C a m p a ig n s f o r S c h o o l T a x e s . M a c M illa n C om p an y, 1946. 201 G rand R a p id s: N ew Y ork : The 202 T h o m a s, A la n J . S c h o o l F in a n c e and E d u c a tio n a l O p p o rtu n ity in M ic h ig a n . M ic h ig a n D e p a r tm e n t o f E d u c a tio n , 1 9 6 6 . P e r io d i c a ls B a th o , M a r s h a ll G. " S tu d en ts, O ur P R P u n ch , " A m e r ic a n S ch o o l B o a rd J o u r n a l, 137:21 ( D e c e m b e r , 1 9 5 8 ). B o s s , L a v e r n e , T h o m a s , and M ic h a e l. "B ond I s s u e S u rv ey : M a il C a m p a ig n s P a y O ff. " N a t io n 's S c h o o ls , V o l. 81 , N o. 4 (A p r il, 1 9 6 8 ), p. 8 2 . C r o sb y , O tis A . "How to M ak e a W in ning I s s u e . " N a t io n 's S c h o o ls , 7 2 :2 7 (J u ly , 1 9 6 3 ), p. 14. H a r r in g to n , Joh n H. " B lu e p r in t f o r a S u c c e s s f u l Bond o r T a x E l e c t io n ." N a t i o n 's S c h o o ls , 6 4 :5 6 -7 (O c to b e r , 1 9 5 9 ). L o n g str e th , J a m e s W . "K now ing W h o 's W ho in P o w e r S tr u c tu r e C an P a y D iv id e n d . " A m e r ic a n S c h o o l B o a rd J o u r n a l (A u g u st, 1 9 6 6 ), pp. 1 0 - 1 1 . N a g le , Joh n M . "How to T e ll W hat Y o u r P u b lic R e a lly T h in k s. " A m e r ic a n S c h o o l B o a r d J o u r n a l (D e c e m b e r , 1 9 6 8 ), pp. 8 11. O th e r P u b lic a tio n s B arb ow , E d w in L . " E ff e c ts o f S o c io - E c o n o m ic F a c t o r s on S c h o o l B ond E le c t io n s in I o w a ." U n p u b lish e d d o c t o r a l d i s s e r t a ­ tio n , Iow a S ta te U n iv e r s it y , 1 9 6 6 . B e n n ett, T h o m a s P . "An A n a ly s is o f C a m p a ig n s f o r P u b lic S c h o o l Bond P r o p o s a ls . " U n p u b lish e d m a s t e r ' s t h e s i s , B o sto n , M a ssa c h u se tts, 1965. C a r te r , R ic h a r d F . C o m m u n itie s and T h e ir S c h o o ls . P r o j e c t C A ST , U n ite d S ta te s O ffic e of E d u c a tio n , 1 9 6 6 . C a r te r , R ic h a r d F . V o t e r s and T h e ir S c h o o ls . U n ited S ta te s O ffic e o f E d u c a tio n , C oop . R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t # 3 0 8 . G o v ­ e r n m e n t P r in tin g O ffic e , 1 9 6 1 . 203 L a m b e r t, Sam M . " S ch o o l T a x e s - - A G ro w in g P r o b le m ." S p e ech b e fo r e th e A m e r ic a n A s s o c ia t io n o f S c h o o l A d m in is t r a t o r s , A tla n tic C ity , N ew J e r s e y . M ic h ig a n S c h o o l B o a r d A s s o c ia t io n . t io n s , N o v e m b e r , 19 6 8 . R e s o lu t io n s and R e c o m m e n d a ­ M c D a n ie l, C h a r le s P . , J r . "A Study o f F a c t o r s A ffe c tin g th e O u t­ c o m e o f S c h o o l Bond I s s u e s in S e le c te d G e o r g ia S c h o o l D i s t r i c t s . " U n iv e r s it y o f G e o r g ia , 19 6 7 . P o lle y , I r a . " E d u ca tio n F in a n c e : T he P r e s e n t and th e F u tu r e . " P a p e r r e a d a t the M ic h ig a n A s s o c ia t io n o f S c h o o l A d m in ­ i s t r a t o r s , M a c k in a c Is la n d , S e p te m b e r 2 4 , 196 8 . R o e, G id d is, and N ie ls o n . " F in a n c in g M ic h ig a n 's S c h o o ls . " M ic h ig a n S ta te U n iv e r s ity : B u re a u o f E d u c a tio n R e s e a r c h , 1963. A P P E N D IX A BOARD OF E D U C A T IO N CENSUS SH EET Planning U nit T rac t BOARD OF EDUCATION CENSUS SHEET Coda ]□m Grand R apids, Michigan 1967 BIRTHDATE O i i l / a Logoi L a s t Howe, F lretN om e Man tl» Grada September Public School Entrant? r" " - -J ] i-— i T ! Ii I i Remarks Cod* Nuaibar OtrocHon P lion. ... 1 i . SCHOOL CODE NUMBERS; P U B LIC 0 ). Central High 0?. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 19. 09.01* 10. 11. 12. 12. G o t t e n High O ttaw a H ills High South High U nion High B urton J r . High H a rriso n P ark J r . High N a r th a a tt J r . High R id g e v iew J r . High R iv e rs id e J r . High O o k leig h J r . H ign A berdeen A le s a n d e r A Igor 72. 48. 14* 73. IS* 53* 16. 17. 18. 74. 19. 20. 21. 22. B eckw ith B roohside B uchan an Burr Oak B urton EEem* CempOu Pork C e it C e ld b re ek C o n g re s s C a v e lt C rea rv iew D ick in so n E a s t L eo n a rd E a s te rn 25. 26. 75. 27. 28. 29. 52. 76. 30* SS. 31. 50* 33. 34. F o u n ta in F ra n k lin C . A . F ro s t H all H a rriso n P k . E lea i. Henry H illc re s t H ull Ja H e rso n Xa«»>GShe K e n sin g fen K ent H ills L exington M adison P ark 51* 77. 56. 49. 70. 35. 78. 36. 37. 38. 79. 60. 39. 40. M aplew ood M ichigan Oak M o rris M ulick P ork N arth P ark O okdala O a k la ig h E lam , O ttaw a E tem . P alm er R iv e rs id e E lea u Shewm gi H ills S haw nee Park Sheldon S ibley Whit* Father 41. 43. 44. 46* 71. 47* 54. 61* 62. 63* 64. 66* 57. t8 . S ig tb e e S tocking Stroi ght A rthur H . V a ndanbarg We Norwood W a tt L eo n a rd W estw ood H ills C oldbroofc S p ecia l Mary F ra a B ad C h ild re n 's Heme G a l D eal O rth o p e d ic (E a s te rn ) S unshine H om ebeund 69 . 81. 82. 83. 84. 85* 86. 91. 92. 93. 94. 97* 99 . C h ild H aven J u n ia r C o lla g e A ll O th e r C o lle g e s A ll C e th a lie S cn o els A ll C h ris tia n S ch o o ls A ll L u th eran S ch o o ls A ll O th e r S chools M arried S erv ice Work H oaw V illa M aria L in c o ln F o u n d atio n B ,ind | W hit. Mother 3 Doaf | 4 Mental | 5 Book No. Parent Coda 1 Crippled 2 ADDRESS 5 tr* .l Race Hndcp Step Fother Step Mother Other Guardian 204 n n Paront o r Guardian H o m o , L a a t Notre* F i t t i Noma A P P E N D IX B N U M B E R S A N D P E R C E N T A G E S O F R E SID E N C E S BY VOTING P U B L IC A N D C EN SU S T R A C T W ITHIN THE G RA N D R A P ID S P U B L IC SCHOOL D IST R IC T A P P E N D IX B NUMBERS AND PERCENTAGES OF RESIDENCES BY VOTING PUBLIC AND CENSUS TRACT WITHIN THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Public School f C hristian School % C atholic School P reSchool N onSchool f % f % f % f 83 6% 81 6% Total % f % 666 46% 1,446 100% 582 40% 34 2% 2 350 29 13 1 125 11 86 7 609 52 1, 183 100 3 316 28 118 11 157 14 129 11 407 36 1, 127 100 4 127 2 7 .4 72 16 54 12 209 45. 1 463 100.7 5 350 41 11 2 61 7 87 10 341 40 850 100 6 766 35 90 4 271 13 284 13 751 35 2,162 100 7 97 24 17 4 102 24 33 8 165 40 414 100 8 269 18 62 4 289 20 176 12 667 46 1,463 100 9 96 23 1 .2 55 13 70 17 195 47 417 100.2 10 73 27 1 .4 35 13 40 15 124 45 273 100.4 11 197 3 4 .4 1 .2 30 79 14 265 4 6 .2 572 100 12 123 19 20 3 150 22 60 9 317 47 670 100 13 258 33 36 5 245 31 77 9 175 22 791 100 .2 1 5 .2 205 1 A P P E N D IX B - - C o n t in u e d Christian School Public School Catholic School % f P reSchool NonSchool % f 243 17 153 11 686 48 100 236 2 4 .2 111 1 1 .4 378 39 100 13 93 100 14 344 24 6 15 246 2 5 .2 2 16 0 0 0 17 76 22 1 18 319 34 23 2 130 14 19 402 25 91 6 258 20 68 21 272 24 25 22 554 39 111 23 186 50 2 24 198 56 2 25 960 45 94 26 180 47 27 227 28 524 .4 0 0 .3 % 0 3 1 1 6 .4 209 6 0 .4 100 156 16 320 34 100 16 136 9 710 44 100 11 4 26 9.2 175 6 2.2 100 2 35 3 203 18 594 53 100 8 64 5 87 13 504 35 100 .5 6 2 34 9 143 3 8 .5 100 .6 8 2 44 1 2.4 102 29 100 5 45 2 279 13 736 35 100 82 21 21 5 74 19 30 8 100 30 104 14 44 6 70 10 302 40 100 32 14 1 75 5 264 16 744 46 100 2 4 .2 .4 1 .9 57 7 A P P E N D IX B - - C o n t in u e d Census Tract Public School f Christian School % Catholic School PreSchool f % f % f NonSchool % f Total % f % 173 36 22 5 32 7 88 18 166 34 481 100 30 147 30 133 27 24 5 26 6 156 32 486 100 31 822 29 490 17 168 6 299 11 1,033 37 2,812 100 32 535 3 3.4 177 11 239 15 616 3 8.4 1,603 100 33 304 24 159 13 151 12 125 10 514 41 1,253 100 34 764 30 452 18 201 8 223 9 886 35 2 ,5 2 6 100 35 427 46 8 1 77 8 106 12 304 33 922 100 36 628 44 66 5 153 10 137 10 441 31 1,425 100 37 173 37 30 6 31 7 57 12 180 38 471 100 3 9 -4 0 468 46 176 18 63 6 96 10 202 20 1,005 100 47 754 35 159 8 428 20 153 7 640 30 2 ,1 3 4 100 48 26 32 1 1 12 15 6 7 37 45 82 100 TOTAL 13,381 33% 36 2,69 5 2 .2 7% 4, 371 11% 4 ,6 0 6 11% 15,712 38% 40,765 100% 207 29 A P P E N D IX C SURVEY Q U ESTIO N NA IR E 208 A S U R V E Y O F S E L E C T E D C I T I Z E N S IN G R A N D RAP I DS TO DETERMINE THEIR FEELINGS AND UNDERSTANDINGS O F T H E L OCA L P UBL I C S C HO O LS PART I - FEELING TOWARD THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1. 2. How good a job do you feel the- public schools are doing in educating Grand Rapids children? (1 ) very good (7 ) ___ fairly good (31 not very good lb (41-----not good at all. Compared to other school systems, how good a job do you think the local public schools are doing? ( 1 ) very good (2 )_ __ fairly good (31 not very good (41__ not 16 good at all 3. Compared with other people whom you know, how interested are you in the local public schools? (t) more interested (2 ) about th e same (3 )____ less interested. 4. Please check w hether you agree or disagree w ith the following statem ents: 5. 17 18 a. Public school officials d o n 't care much w hat we ^citizens) think A gree . Disagree_____ b. Voting In millage elections or for Board of Education m em bers is the only way th a t we have anything to say how 19 public schools are run Agree Disagree_____ c Our public educational system is to o com plex for me to understand Agree____ . Disagree______ 20 d. Citizens of all ages are encouraged to use the local public schools Agree Disagree______ 21 the Please finish th e following statem ents in any way you wish: a. The Grand Rapids Public Schools a re ___________________________________________________________________________ b. I would like th e Grand Rapids Public Schools to. PART II - P A R T I C I P A T I O N IN P U B L I C S C H O O L A F F A I R S 6. How often did you visit (1)____not at all public schools in G rand Rapids or attend public school functions last year? (2)____ one or tw o tim es_________13)___ th ree to ten tim es (4)_____m ore than ten times. 22 7. How often did you talk about public schools by phone or in person w ith a teacher or other school official last year? (1)___ not at all (2)____o n e o r two tim es_________(3)___ three to ten tim es (4)____ m ore than ten times. 23 8. How often do you discuss the local public schools w ith others? (1) n o t at all (2)___ seldom 24 9. (3)____ quite often (4)____very often Please check th e activities in which you would like to take part if they were offered in our public schools: evening recreation_____ evening high sch o o l_____ volunteer classroom w o rk er_____ PTA, neighborhood school com m ittee, e tc --------other (please sp ecify )________________________ 1 25 A P P E N D IX D L E T T E R A C C O M P A N Y IN G Q U E ST IO N N A IR E TO R E S P O N D E N T S 209 10. Check those activities in our public school program about which you would Newteaching m eth o d s______ School building program s______ S tudent counseling services_____ School organization (Continuous Progress Program, Middle Schools, Master Plan)______ Teacher re c ru itm e n t_____ The teaching o f reading____ Operating c o s ts______ Programs for handicapped children______ O ther (please specify)___________________________ 11. like more inform ation. 30 35 What people, civic groups, o r oth er organizations in which you have confidence do you feel endorse and support the public schools?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ _ PART III - COMMUNICATION ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS 12. We would like to know how you learn ab o u t th e public schools in Grand Rapids. For each ty p e o f com m unication listed, please check the colum n w hich shows how much it has helped you learn about the public schools. Method of Com m unication None A Little Q uite a Bit Very Much a. television 39 b. radio c. The Grand Rapids Press d. area weekly newspaper e. school bulletins f. speeches by school officials program i in ichoois 8‘ (including PTA) h. children 45 i. friends and neighbors j. other (specify) 13. Have you heard anything bad about th e local public schools lately? 49 Y es . N o_______ If yes, w hat?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. Have you heard anything good about the local public schools lately? 50 Y es No_______ If yes, w h a t? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PART IV - SCHOOL FINANCES 15. Compared to o th er school districts, how do you feel about school taxes in Grand Rapids? (1 ) Grand Rapids taxes are too high (2)____Grand Rapids taxes are to o low (3) Grand Rapids taxes are about right. 2 51 210 16. Generally, how have you voted in past school millage elections? (1) voted for (2)___ voted against 52 (3)____ haven't voted 17. If you were to v ote today, how likely is it th at you would vote to continue th e present level of local millage for school operation? (1) very likely (2)___ somewhat likely (3)~— not likely S3 18. Are you a property owner in Grand Rapids? 54 Yes________ N o______ _ 19. If the school board requested additional local millage for the following, how would you be likely to vote? (Please check yes or no) a. Special education programs for the physically and mentally handicapped Yes______ N o______ b. An expanded athletic program Yes______N o_______ c. New school buildings Yes____________ N o_____ d. Indoor swimming pools Y es e. Higher employee salaries Y es______No_______ f. Smaller classes for children___________________________ Yes______ No______ g. Adult trade programs (bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)_______________________ Y es______ N o_____ 55 No_____ 60 Adult remedial programs (reading, writing, arithmetic)_____________________________ Y es______ No_ i. j. k. More individualized instruction (teaching machines, instructional materials) Yes Nn An extended school year for students Y es No Nn Yes No______ Yes______ Extended use of schools for all citizens 65 PART V - INFORMATION ABOUT YOU 20. How many years have you lived in the city o f Grand Rapids? <1) less than one year (2)____ 1 ■2 years__________ (3)____2 • 5 years (4) 5 • 10 years (5)____ more than 10 years 66 21. Please check the highest level of schooling th at you have completed. (1) g ra d e 8 (2)___ grade 11 (3)___ high school 67 (5) 22. (4)____two years of college four years of college__________ (6)___ more than four years of college. Please check one of the following groups th at best identifies your work: (1) professional_________ (2)___ business or managerial (3)___ sales (4) craftsm an or forem an (5) unskilled laborer__________(6)____service worker (7) retired (8) unem ployed (9)___ .housewife (10)_________________________ other (specify) 3 68 211 PART V) - INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 23 Please check the name of th e person w hom you believe is the present superintendent of the Public Schools. (1) Benjamin Buikema (2)___ David Post (3)____David Thompson (4) Chris Sonnevelt Norm an Weinheimer (6) Albert Shanker. b!) (5) 24. Please answer the following statem ents in the space provided by placing a check after true or false. a. Vocational educational courses are presently offered to students in our local public high schools T ru e „ . F a ls e ______ ~’0 b. American G overnm ent is a required course for all high school students in our local puntic high schools T ru e ________F a lse _______ . 71 c. The Grand Rapids Junior College is operated by the Grand Rapids Board of Education T r u e ______ False_______ 72 d. T extbooks are furnished free to all students attending public schools in Grand Rapids T ru e ______ F a lse _______ . 73 e. The Grand Rapids Public Schools are transporting students by bus for the first tim e this fall. T ru e ______ F alse_______ 74 f. Members of the G rand Rapids Board of Education are appointed by the S uperintendent of Schools. T ru e F a ls e ______ 75 g. City income tax m oney is used to operate th e Grand Rapids Public Schools. T ru e ______ F a ls e _______ . 76 Thank you very much for com pleting this questionnaire and returning it prom ptly. Please include below any additional com m ents that you would like to make ab o u t the local public schools. 212 Th e B oard o f OF THE G ra itd E d u c a t io n - OITY O F R a p id b . M ic h ig a n 49noe orricE o r THC SUPERINTEND!-NT J a n u a r y 2 0 , 1969 T h e s t a f f o f th e G r a n d R a p i d s P u b l i c S c h o o l s a n d t h e m e m b e r s o f th e G r a n d R a p i d s B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n a r e i n t e r e s t e d in l e a r n i n g h o w c i t i z e n s f e e l a b o u t t h e i r p u b l i c s c h o o l s . Y o u h a v e b e e n s e l e c t e d a s a p e r s o n in o u r c o m m u n i t y w h o c a n h e l p u s in t h i s t a s k . E n c l o s e d i s a q u e s t i o n n a i r e s o t h a t y o u c a n t e l l u s h o w y o u f e e l a b o u t th e l o c a l p u b l i c s c h o o l s . W e b e l i e v e t h a t y o u w a n t to p r o v i d e g o o d e d u c a t i o n t o t h e y o u n g p e o p l e in o u r c o m m u n i t y . B e c a u s e y o u s h a r e i n th e f i n a n c i n g o f th e s c h o o l s b y p a y m e n t o f t a x e s , y o u a r e a l s o i n t e r e s t e d in t h e w i s e u s e o f t h i s m o n e y . Y o u r r e s p o n s e s to t h i s q u e s t i o n n a i r e w i l l g i v e i n f o r m a t i o n w h i c h w i l l a s s i s t i n p r o ­ v i d i n g th e y o u n g p e o p l e o f o u r c o m m u n i t y t h e b e s t p o s s i b l e e d u c a t i o n w i t h i n th e a v a i l a b l e f i n a n c i a l r e s o u r c e s . A s t a m p e d , s e l f - a d d r e s s e d e n v e l o p e i s i n c l u d e d f o r y o u r u s e i n r e t u r n i n g th e c o m p le t e d q u e s tio n n a ir e . You n eed n ot sig n y o u r n a m e s in c e y o u r r e s p o n s e s w i l l in n o w a y b e i n d i v i d u a l l y i d e n t i f i e d . If y o u w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w t h e r e c o m ­ m e n d a t i o n s a n d s u g g e s t i o n s r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h i s s t u d y , p l e a s e f e e l f r e e to c a l l m y o f f i c e a n d l e a v e y o u r n a m e a n d a d d r e s s s o t h a t a c o p y c a n b e m a i l e d to y o u . Thank y o u fo r y o u r h elp and c o o p e r a tio n . b y J a n u a r y 2 8 , 1969. S in c e r e ly y o u rs, Raym ond L. B oozer A s s is t a n t S u p e r in te n d e n t of S c h o o ls T elep h o n e n u m b er: 456-4773 P l e a s e r e t u r n th e c o m p l e t e d q u e s t i o n n a i r e A P PE N D IX E F O L L O W - U P L E T T E R TO R E S P O N D E N T S 2 13 Th e B oard OF G rand TWC THE of E d u c a t io n O IT Y OF R a p id s . M ic h ig a n 49n oe O FFIC E OF S U P E R I N T C N O t NT F e b r u a r y 3 , 1969 D e a r C itiz e n : R e c e n tly y o u r e c e iv e d a q u e s tio n n a ir e fro m m e a s k in g ab ou t y o u r f e e lin g s and u n d e r sta n d in g s o f th e G rand R a p id s P u b lic S c h o o ls . In the e v e n t th at you h a v e n o t had tim e to c o m p le te it and r e tu r n it to m y o f f ic e , I w o u ld a p p r e c ia te y o u r d oin g s o a s so o n a s p o s s ib l e . W e a r e v e r y g r a tifie d a t th e n u m b er o f c it iz e n s w h o h ave sh ow n an in te n s e i n t e r e s t in o u r s c h o o ls and w h o a lr e a d y h a v e c o m p le te d and r e tu r n e d th e ir q u e s t io n n a ir e s . B e c a u s e o n ly a lim it e d n u m b er o f c it iz e n s w e r e s e le c t e d , w e a r e a n x io u s to h e a r fr o m a ll th o s e to w hom q u e s t io n n a ir e s w e r e s e n t. If y o u h a v e a lr e a d y r e tu r n e d th e c o m p le te d q u e s tio n n a ir e , I sh o u ld lik e to thank y o u on b e h a lf o f o u r B o a rd o f E d u ca tio n and s ta f f. If you h a v e q u e s tio n s a b o u t i t w h ich n eed c la r if ic a t io n o r i f you h a v e m is p la c e d i t and can n ot lo c a t e i t , p le a s e c a ll o u r o f f ic e and w e s h a ll a tte m p t to c la r if y y o u r q u e s t io n s a n d /o r se n d a n o th e r q u e s tio n n a ir e to you . W e a r e g o in g to b e g in c o m p ilin g the r e s u lt s on M onday, F e b r u a r y 10, s o w o u ld a p p r e c ia te y o u r r e tu r n in g it by th at d a te . S in c e r e ly y o u r s . R aym on d L . B o o z e r A s s i s t a n t S u p er in te n d e n t o f S c h o o ls T elep h o n e : 45 6 -4 7 7 3 A PPE N D IX F T A B L E S 4 - 1 8 THROUGH 4 - 2 6 T A B L E 4 -1 8 E x te n t th a t R e sp o n d e n ts by V otin g P u b lic L e a rn about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls by T e le v is io n Public School f None 24 % 6% C hristian School f % 6 7% C atholic School f % 9 7% P reSchool N onSchool f % f 17 13% 22 % 8% A ll R espondents f % 78 8% A L ittle 171 45 50 61 58 48 57 44 127 44 463 46 Quite a Bit 136 36 24 39 36 30 38 30 94 32 328 33 V ery Much 50 13 2 3 19 15 16 13 28 16 135 13 381 100% 82 100% 100% 128 100% 291 100% TOTAL 122 1,004 100% T A B L E 4 -1 9 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic L e a rn about the P u b lic S c h o o ls by R ad io Public School C hristian School Catholic School N onSchool P reSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % f % f % 40 11% 12 15% 16 13% 14 11% 48 18% 130 14% 178 51 46 57 69 56 83 67 121 47 497 53 Quite a B it 94 27 19 24 24 20 24 19 61 23 222 24 V ery Much 37 11 3 4 13 11 4 3 30 12 87 9 349 100% 100% 936 100% None A L ittle TOTAL 80 100% 122 100% 125 100% 260 T A B L E 4 -2 0 E x te n t th at R esp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic L e a r n about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls through T h e G rand R a p id s P r e s s Public School f None % 6 2% C hristian School f % 4 4% C atholic School f % 5 4% P reSchool f % 1 1% NonSchool f % 6 2% A ll Respondents f % 22 2% 79 21 7 8 25 19 21 17 48 14 180 17 Quite a Bit 200 52 48 54 66 51 67 55 174 52 555 52 Very Much 98 25 30 34 34 26 33 27 108 32 303 29 100% 89 100% 130 100% 122 100% 336 100% A little TOTAL 383 1,060 100% T A B L E 4 -2 1 E x te n t th a t R e sp o n d en ts b y V oting P u b lic L e a rn about the P u b lic S c h o o ls th rou gh W eek ly N e w s p a p e r s Public School None C hristian School C atholic School P reSchool NonSchool A ll R espondents f % f % f % f % f % f % 119 44% 35 52% 23 29% 52 47% 61 32% 290 40% A L ittle 64 24 13 20 16 21 36 32 49 26 178 25 Quite a Bit 62 23 14 21 28 36 20 18 63 33 187 26 V ery Much 26 9 5 7 11 14 3 3 17 9 62 9 100% 67 100% 78 100% 100% 190 100% TOTAL 271 111 717 100% T A B L E 4 -2 2 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d en ts b y V oting P u b lic L e a rn about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls through S ch o o l B u lle tin s P ublic School None C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool f % f % f % f % 67 19% 45 66% 33 37% 57 56% NonSchool f 103 A ll Respondents % f % 60% 305 39% A Little 116 34 15 22 34 38 20 20 31 18 216 28 Q uite a Bit 101 29 6 9 18 20 27 17 19 11 161 21 V ery Much 60 18 2 3 4 5 7 7 20 11 93 12 344 100% 68 100% 89 100% 100% 173 100% TOTAL 101 775 100% T A B L E 4 -2 3 E x te n t th a t R esp o n d en ts by V oting P u b lic L e a r n about the P u b lic S c h o o ls th rou gh S p e e c h e s by S ch o o l O ffic ia ls Public School C hristian School C atholic School N onSchool P reSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % f % f % 10 33% 38 52% 36 34% 41 40% 77 39% 293 37% 131 43 24 33 45 42 52 50 66 33 318 41 Quite a Bit 57 18 9 12 14 13 8 8 32 16 120 15 V ery Much 17 6 2 3 11 10 2 2 23 12 55 7 100% 73 100% 100% 198 100% 786 100% None A L ittle TOTAL 306 106 100% 103 T A B L E 4 -2 4 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic L e a r n about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls through P r o g r a m s in S c h o o ls (In clu d in g P . T. A . ) Public School C hristian School Catholic School P reSchool NonSchool A ll R espondents % f % f % f % f % f % 72 22% 46 65% 41 47% 61 59% 99 56% 319 42% 114 36 18 25 27 31 27 26 29 16 215 28 Quite a Bit 95 29 5 7 13 15 10 10 37 21 160 21 V ery Much 43 13 2 3 6 7 5 5 12 7 68 9 324 100% None A L ittle TOTAL 71 100% 87 100% 103 100% 177 100% 762 100% 220 f | T A B L E 4 -2 5 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d en ts by V otin g P u b lic L e a rn about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls fr o m C h ild ren Public School f 18 5% C atholic School NonSchool P reSchool A ll Respondents f % f % f % f % f % 22 29% 19 19% 32 29% 61 27% 152 18% A L ittle 139 39 32 43 49 50 48 44 64 28 332 38 Quite a Bit 128 36 12 16 25 25 19 18 63 27 247 28 V ery Much 72 20 9 12 6 6 10 9 42 18 139 16 357 100% 100% 109 100% 100% 870 100% TOTAL 75 100% 99 230 221 None % C hristian School TABLE 4-26 E x te n t th at R e sp o n d e n ts by V oting P u b lic L e a rn about th e P u b lic S c h o o ls fr o m F r ie n d s and N e ig h b o r s Public School f 28 8% f % 7 9% Catholic School f 10 % 9% N onSchool P reSchool f % f 14 12% 14 % 5% R espondents f % 73 8% A L ittle 166 49 41 51 57 49 57 48 117 46 438 48 Quite a Bit 110 33 29 36 36 31 43 36 82 32 300 33 V ery Much 33 10 3 4 12 11 5 4 42 17 95 11 337 100% 100% 115 100% 100% 255 100% 906 100% TOTAL 80 119 222 None % C hristian School A P P E N D IX G E L E M E N T A R Y SCHOOL A T T E N D A N C E A R E A S , S E P T E M B E R 1968 AND C E N SU S T R A C T S 1 - 4 8 WITHIN THE GRAND R A P ID S P U B L IC SCHOOL D IS T R IC T 223 G R A N D RAPIDS PUBLIC SC HO OL S ELEMjtaTARY SCHOOL ATTEfyDJUICE AREAS SEPT. 1988 i t u i <*•