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BOCES survey has obvious flaws, weak methodology

Posted 4/26/11

To the Editor: St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES recently conducted an on-line survey to examine public opinion on mergers or consolidation of high schools in the region. This survey has very obvious biases …

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BOCES survey has obvious flaws, weak methodology

Posted

To the Editor:

St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES recently conducted an on-line survey to examine public opinion on mergers or consolidation of high schools in the region. This survey has very obvious biases and flaws that call into question its validity and objectivity.

The methodology of the survey is extremely weak. Had I chosen to, I could have completed this survey many times. There were no procedural controls to prevent this. Further, properly conducted surveys will have designed a method for ensuring a random sample of the population to be studied. Respondents to the BOCES survey self-selected to participate. People who self-select to participate are far more likely to have strong opinions to one side or the other. It is unlikely that the respondents to this survey are a true representation of the community.

The survey questions presume consolidation will have lower school taxes as an outcome, yet the article run in the Watertown Daily Times on April 23 recognizes that the differences in property taxes from one community to the next make consolidation difficult. It stands to reason that some communities will see school taxes increase as a result of consolidated schools due to these differences. Why was this possible outcome not included in the survey? It is also reasonable to conclude that property values will fall the farther one is from a school. Why does the survey choose to ignore this? The creators of the survey took pains to avoid linking consolidation with any negative outcomes.

The survey presumes other positive outcomes from consolidation such as increased academic opportunities for students. Perhaps that will be an outcome, but with decreased local control, who is to say they will be the opportunities valued in each community?

School districts and taxpayers have very challenging issues to confront in these difficult economic times. They should base their decisions on solid, reliable research and evidence. Sadly, this survey provides neither. Instead, this survey begins with a set of conclusions then constructs questions designed to support that conclusion. When the “results” of this survey are released, school boards and taxpayers should not be fooled into thinking that they contribute anything to understanding these complicated issues.

Dan Sullivan-Catlin

Potsdam