A survey was conducted in Massachusetts in October-November 1978, to determine the public's attitude toward the educational objectives proposed as part of the state's Basic Skills Improvement Policy. The objectives involved standards for graduation from high school, and covered reading, writing, listening, speaking, and mathematics. Three samples were surveyed: (1) 607 adult residents were interviewed over the telephone; (2) a questionnaire was administered to 600 selected public high school seniors; and (3) 2,857 questionnaires were mailed to 1,200 teachers, 400 principals, 283 directors of English, 283 directors of mathematics, 291 school superintendents, 200 school committee chairpersons, and 200 members of the business community. The samples surveyed agreed with the following major survey statements: significant numbers of high school students do not graduate with sufficient skills to handle everyday problems; periodic testing is the best way to test acquisition of basic skills; and all students should be able to demonstrate certain minimum skills before high school graduation. (Opinions about specific objectives, as well as respondents' comments and a summary of the results for each question, are included.) (GDC)