Public opinion is an important factor in the decisions and actions of educators and administrators. Accurately gauging public opinion on high-profile education issues can be critical to the short- and long-term success that educators have.

Southern Opinion Research has been asking questions of about education, education policy, educational institutions, and educators themselves since the early days of the company in 1987. We have worked with educators and administrators in a variety of settings to help create and institute policies that the public would support and that would enhance the effectiveness and reputation of school systems.

For instance:

• A public interest group asked Southern Opinion Research to help it discover under what circumstances the public would support a tax increase for schools;

• A superintendent wanted to know how different constituents (the general public, students and employees) felt about the school system and the direction it was heading;

• A statewide school board association asked Southern Opinion Research to conduct surveys on salient education issues in the state in preparation for its lobbying effort in an upcoming state legislative session.

Education issues are complex, and while the public is generally supported of improving educational institutions, it is often skeptical of proposals educators make, particularly if they involve raising taxes and spending additional money.

The experience Southern Opinion Research has had in this area makes it the ideal company to provide public opinion information to education decision-makers.

Significant projects

Albertville School Board. Faced with renovating an old high school or building a new one, the Albertville (Ala.) School Board asked Southern Opinion Research to see how the public felt about this and other related issues.

Tuscaloosa City School System. Southern Opinion Research conducted an extensive set of survey projects that involved the general public, employees of the system and high school students. Questions asked in the survey included subjects such as discipline, perception of the school system, and plans for the future.

Clients

• Tuscaloosa City School System

• Alabama Association of School Boards

• Albertville City School Board

• Hoover City School Board

• Alabama Department of Education

• Calhoun Community College