AN ANALYSIS OF ATTITUDES TOWARD SELECTED ASPECTS OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC PROGRAMS OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS IN CLASS C SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA

The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain and analyze the attitudes of superintendents and school board members relative to interscholastic athletic programs in the 128 Class C schools of Nebraska. More specifically this study sought to determine whether or not there was a significant difference in the attitudes of superintendents and school boards members utilizing the following demographic considerations: (1) those with children who participated in interscholastic athletics; (2) those who participated in high school interscholastic athletics themselves; (3) those who participated in college athletics; and (4) those who had coaching experience. In addition, differences between the attitudes of male and female board members were examined. The final purpose was to gather evidence from the superintendents about the extent to which tax funds were used to support athletic programs in Class C districts in Nebraska. A 43-item attitudinal instrument, using a Likert Scale, was developed to determine the attitudes of school superintendents and school board members toward selected aspects of interscholastic athletic programs. The survey instrument was distributed to 128 superintendents and 768 school board members. The data obtained from the 108 responding superintendents and 445 responding school board members were then analyzed. The statistical data were analyzed at the University of Nebraska Computer Center using the Statistical Analysis System. t-tests were utilized to analyze differences for each of the demographic groups included in the study. The chi square statistic was also employed to determine if significant differences existed between the attitudes of the respondents on individual items. All the evidence gathered in this study strongly indicates that both superintendents and school board members in Class C districts in Nebraska had positive attitudes toward the values and contributions that characterize interscholastic athletic programs