Recent polls and research studies have documented the decline in public confidence in the nation's public schools. In late 1982, Phi Delta Kappa created the PDK Commission on Public Confidence in Education to (1) identify schools and districts with positive public confidence, (2) determine basic transferable characteristics, and (3) develop strategies for communicating and attaining these characteristics. After establishing school confidence as an extension of school and community relations and exploring three stages for a theoretical base, the PDK Commission reviewed confidence-building strategies in several disciplines. The Commission then did a pilot study, devised a school-based questionnaire, established sampling and verifying procedures, and collected and analyzed the data. Using 11 tables, this paper enumerates key indicators of high-confidence schools. Schools boasting positive teacher attitudes, student performances and achievement, a student-centered and caring atmosphere, positive and open communications, and good discipline will find their efforts rewarded by increased public confidence and support. These results are within every educators' grasp, provided realistic goals are set and progress is measured by the indicators in this report. Included are 12 references and 2 appendices providing categorization and coding information on the study instrument. (MLH)