Graduate Program

Educational Administration

Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1982

Thesis Director

Harry Merigis

Abstract

Communication with the public is an essential facet of any school-community relations program. This study examines both external and internal communication methods. Before a school district can have a purposeful school-community relations program, the internal communication of the school personnel needs to be working effectively.

The survey used for this field experience was developed by the writer to determine the effectiveness of the Casey School District's school-community relations program. This telephone survey consists of eleven questions concerning an awareness of school news. One hundred people were randomly called and asked to respond to the survey.

The Casey School District utilizes many public relations techniques and procedures but lacks any formal school-community relations program. This study makes the following recommendations for improving the Casey District's school-community relations program:

  1. The communication network needs to be expanded with additional press releases to the Casey Daily Reporter and the local radio station.
  2. More community support might be generated with a volunteer participation program.
  3. The district needs to formally adopt a school-community relations program.

This study seeks firstly, to examine the Casey School District's school-community relations program; secondly, to determine the effectiveness of the Casey School District's school-community relations program; and lastly, to make recommendations for improving the school district's present school-community relations program. This study examines the current educational literature concerning communication and school-community relations. This study also utilizes a telephone survey to determine the Casey community's awareness of school news.

The review of current educational literature discusses problems common to many school districts. Community expectations have expanded the school's social responsibilities as changes in the family’s living and working styles have occurred. Financial support for the schools has not kept pace with the spiraling inflation of costs.

Community awareness of the problems facing the schools is necessary if support is expected. Many schools routinely survey their communities to determine awareness and concern for schools. This study briefly overviews five surveys that help school officials learn about the community.

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