Survey of the 89th General Assembly of Their Attitudes and Opinions Toward Public Education in the State of Tennessee.

Overview & Synopsis

A state-wide survey based on a representative sampling of members of the 89th General Assembly was conducted to explore attitudes concerning the quality of education in Tennessee. Areas covered by the survey included the attitudes of the General Assembly members toward teachers, teachers' salaries, and age of retirement. The survey was designed around eighteen questions with additional space for comments. Questions covered a range of relevant topics such as "Do you favor graduate school programs in Tennessee?"; "Do you favor a comprehensive school system for each county in Tennessee?"; and "Do you think that the curriculum for majors in education should be revised?" The questions were intended to discern opinions and attitudes from the members rather than elicit information based on factual knowledge. A general agreement was reached suggesting that education today is considered "better" by a substantial number of respondents. Consensus among respondents indicated that too much emphasis is being placed on higher education. Respondents also agreed that the greatest deterrent to education in Tennessee is the home environment of the child, that teacher education curriculum should be revised, and that school board members should have at least twelve years of formal education. (JN)