Conducting Surveys. In addition, the findings of a survey can help formulate and bolster positions of the campaign….
Develop a Useful Questionnaire. Biased wording also invalidates results, so emotionally loaded or slanted questions should be strictly avoided. It may be difficult to ask neutral ques- tions—especially when you have strong feelings on the topic—but that is the only way to get valid information….
CASE STUDY: Omaha 2000. Initiatives were so much more easily accepted because people felt that the survey made them a part of the decision-making process. [A few survey questions follow, ed.]
• Parenting education programs should be available for all parents? • Our community should appreciate and embrace the growth of diversity? • Every citizen should be responsible to assist students and support education? • All children should have a personal mentor available to assist them?…
Develop a Strategy. Evaluate Context for Change; describe allies and opponents; identify change agents. For many issues there will be significant institutional barriers to any change you hope
to initiate….
Elements of Systematic Reform. Creating a coordinated education and training system…. Are these programs built around a multi-year sequence of learning at work sites and at school—learning that is connected and coordinated?
Describe Allies and Opponents. On the other hand, there may be people or organizations in the community who will oppose the reforms you are attempting to institute. Some of these opponents simply may not understand the goals of the campaign. Others will persist in their opposition. Before your organization takes any action, you will need to anticipate the potential reaction of opponents. List your opponents and what your success might mean to them. Refer to the Troubleshooting section for suggestions on how to deal with opposition.
Identify Change Agents. One change agent could be the Superintendent of schools because she or he has the power to institute a district-wide policy to include community members in the standards-develop- ment process.
[“Power” is mentioned many times in this section, ed.]
Resistance. This will be the most difficult stage. The public will be reluctant to face the trade- offs that come from choosing a specific plan of action. To describe opponents answer these questions:_____ List the resources of your opponents.
Council Strategy Chart. Get the president of Hewlett Packard to write the chair of the school board a letter supporting the proposal. [Strategy to get calculators for school, ed.]