The major purpose of this study was to determine what school board members believe to be most essential to their effectiveness; board members' perceptions of their knowledge in the essential areas of board responsibility; and how they gain information and training to become more effective in these essential areas.

The study utilized descriptive research methodology and survey technique to gather data from a national sample of school board members. A stratified random sample of board members was selected from the list of subscribers to the American School Board Journal. The survey was designed to collect demographic and personal data about board members and to obtain information on their perceptions of the most essential facets of school board membership. In addition, the survey asked board members to rate their strengths and weaknesses in these essential areas, and how they gained information and training in their districts.

Of the 3,744 or 15.5% subscribers sampled, 968 or 25.6% responded. The study was sponsored by The American School Board Journal, published by the National School Boards Association, the national professional organization for school board members in the United States.