Every four years, public opinion polls become a national obsession in the months leading up to the presidential election, with new results breathlessly reported nearly every day. But polling is not exclusively the province of political reporters. A handful of national surveys released each year focus on education, including the Phi Delta…

Written specifically for juvenile justice advocates and officials, this handbook provides step-by-step media approaches to promote the system reforms achieved through the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). Those interested in learning all the nuts and bolts of media advocacy may choose to read this guide from cover to cover. Others…

The rationale for taking bold action on the nation's persistently failing schools can be summed up in one dramatic and disturbing statistic: half of the young Americans who drop out of high school attend just 12 percent of the nation's schools. Ending the cycle of failure at schools is a daunting challenge and a surprisingly controversial one.…

The public's increasing frustration with many social and economic issues is finding a target in higher education. So far, higher education has not adequately anticipated or responded to these high-profile problems. College and university public relations specialists would do well to expend some effort on anticipating problems and planning to…

A rural Wisconsin school district passed a $5.5 million referendum package on the first try. Credit is given to a 20-minute video edited by a volunteer school-board member. The amateurish, homemade effort did not seem to hurt the video's effectiveness. An address is given to obtain a copy of the video. (MLF)

Managerial processes used in developing programs to improve an institution's public image are outlined, drawing on both theory and experience in college administration and public relations. Eight case studies provide illustrations. A five-stage managerial plan is presented. (MSE)

A report of comprehensive efforts within Tennessee to determine the extent of support in individual schools, school systems, counties, and congressional districts is reported, including the simple formula used. Also described are some of the linguistic maps and statistical tables in the report and the possible applications for teachers in other…

Many school buildings are in dire need of renovation, expansion, or replacement. Brief case studies from around the country illustrate the importance of finding out why people vote for or against a construction referendum. Lists recommendations for a strategic campaign. (MLF)

Once a school, college, or university has changed its graphic identity and developed a system for publications graphics, keeping the identity fresh over time requires additional effort. Suggestions are made concerning the role of administrators, faculty, and staff; dissemination of information within the institution; and strategies for…

Examples of college community relations programs that have successfully bridged a sometimes widening gap between campuses and their surrounding communities include student participation in noise and party control, information campaigns, cultural and ethnic events, educational programs open to the community, economic impact surveys, and scientific…

The dangerous communication gap between the university and the public is described. Barriers to effective communication are identified and suggestions are provided for eliminating them. Barriers include failure to perform up to expectations, lack of candor, lack of systematic plan for communication, and persuasion rather than information. (MLW)

An American Council on Education study reveals a substantial gap between what the public knows about higher education costs and financial aid and what Americans need to know to make sensible decisions and set sound public policy. This lack of knowledge creates anxiety, corrodes perceptions of higher education, leads to poor educational choices,…

University fund raising for private support, a new development in Australia, is encouraged. The issues, benefits, and details of program organization are outlined, and examples of Australian universities' successes with fund raising are given. (MSE)

Described are various models and methods that have helped communities around the United States and Canada give the public a better understanding of legal and judicial systems. An introductory section discusses the role of the legal profession in improving public understanding of the law, how to put together a team to teach about the judicial…

Designed to provide specific, practical help for educators in starting or improving school public relations programs, this guide presents views from the superintendent of a small district who is his own public relations person; from a public relations director of a large suburban district; and from a public relations administrator of one of the…