A forecast of critical tasks for educational information specialists

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify and clarify the critical tasks of the educational information specialist. A Delphi study was undertaken to identify the critical tasks. Through a nomination process, twenty-three experts in the field of educational public relations were selected to participate in the study. In Round One of the study, the participants generated statements of tasks which they deemed critical to the role of the educational information specialist. From these statements one hundred and thirty-three tasks were developed and arranged into a questionnaire by the researcher. The respondents were asked to assign priorities on a four-point scale from Low Priority to High Priority to each task statement for two time periods (0 - 5 Years and 10 - 20 Years) in Rounds Two and Three. In addition, participants were requested to submit statements of rationale for deviant responses in Round Three. The rationale is known as the Minority Report. The following conclusions resulted from the review of related literature and the analysis of the data: 1. While the literature suggests that preparing publications is a major function of the school public relations specialist, the Delphi panel perceived this to be secondary to program management and public opinion consultations with administrators and boards. 2. The Delphi participants, while emphasizing professionalism, indicated a need for developing an awareness within the school district of the importance of public relations programs and personnel. ...