The major purpose of this study was to determine what
school board members believe to be most essential to their
effectiveness; board members' perceptions of their
knowledge in the essential areas of board responsibility;
and how they gain information and training to become more
effective in these essential areas.
The study utilized descriptive research methodology
and survey technique to gather data from a national sample
of school board members. A stratified random sample of
board members was selected from the list of subscribers to
the American School Board Journal. The survey was designed
to collect demographic and personal data about board
members and to obtain information on their perceptions of
the most essential facets of school board membership. In
addition, the survey asked board members to rate their
strengths and weaknesses in these essential areas, and how
they gained information and training in their districts.
Of the 3,744 or 15.5% subscribers sampled, 968 or 25.6%
responded. The study was sponsored by The American School
Board Journal, published by the National School Boards
Association, the national professional organization for
school board members in the United States.
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