Date of Award
Spring 1978
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Tagatz, Glenn E.
Abstract
Since 1954, public education has been faced with the goal of ending segregation, This however, has been largely a national goal which has been ignored, postpones, resisted, and even fought at the local district and individual citizen level. A major concern of educational systems has been how to facilitate a solution to this problem. Knowledge of the attitudes of adults and students regarding desegregation would be a valuable asset in this task. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine: (1) Does age (adult v. student), ecological region or interaction of these factors effect attitudes of people toward desegregation? (2) Does educational level, ecological region or interaction of these factors effect the attitudes of people toward desegregation? The research involved the selection of a stratified sample of 300 individuals. Milwaukee and the surrounding suburbs were divided into three ecological rings, Mid Metro, Metro, and Outer Suburbs. A stratified sample was randomly selected with equal numbers of individuals drawn from each of the identified regions. Individuals were surveyed by telephone using the Desegregation Attitude Test, a 25 item Likert type scale. Data was analyzed using two, 2 x 3 factoral designs on the Sigma 9 Computer. Analysis of Variance was used to test the effects of age, education, region and interaction of these factors on attitudes of people toward desegregation. It was statistically determined that the variable of region, Mid Metro, Metro, and Outer Suburbs, had a significant effect on attitudes of people toward desegregation. Age, adult v. student, however, was determined to have no significant effect on attitudes of people toward desegregation. The variable of level of education, Less than High School Diploma v. High School Diploma or Greater was found to have a highly significant effect on attitudes of people toward desegregation. Individuals involved in decision making, planning, and implementing desegregation programs should be aware that attitudes toward desegregation may be effected by distance from the inner city (region) and level of education. Desegregation is a complex, and highly emotional issue. Confidence in the schools must be built if attitudes toward desegregation are to be channeled into a positive direction. In conclusion, further research is recommended in two areas. First, further research should be conducted to clarify the relation of ecological region to attitudes toward desegregation. Secondly, research is recommended in the area of determining what characteristics are common to successful desegregation efforts.