EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Life after High School

Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects

Prepared by

With support from The College Board GE Foundation The George Gund Foundation W.K. Kellogg Foundation KnowledgeWorks Foundation

Funding for this project was provided by The College Board, GE Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and KnowledgeWorks Foundation.

2005 Public Agenda Unauthorized duplication of this executive summary is a violation of copyright. Design: Sundberg & Associates Inc ISBN: 1-889483-86-9

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Life after High School

Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects

A report from Public Agenda by Jean Johnson and Ann Duffett

with Amber Ott

THE FULL REPORT, EXPANDING UPON THIS SUMMARY, IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD AT: WWW.PUBLICAGENDA.ORG

Study at a Glance
Life after High School: Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects is a large-scale examination of the aspirations and experiences of Americas young adults ages 18 through 25. Consequently, the study also included analysis of the perspectives of young adults in four key groups African Americans, Hispanic or Latino Americans, Asian Americans and white Americans.1

Commissioned by The College Board, GE Foundation, The Decisions, Dreams and Barriers George Gund Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and For many, the most heartening message from Life after High KnowledgeWorks Foundation, Life after High School is an School will be that the vast majority of todays young adults in-depth study based on a national random sample telephone be they African American, Hispanic, Asian American or survey of young adults, along with focus groups in California, white believe strongly in the value of going to college after New Jersey, Texas and Wisconsin (see Methodology for more high school. Most see higher education as a way to both earn details). The study sample of more than 1,300 young people societys respect and insure career advancement and financial includes those who have bachelors and associates degrees, those security As one young man, a college-bound African American, . who have graduated from vocational and technical schools, put it: Im going to just have a better life. Basically, thats the those who never went on to higher education or who dropped main reason [I am going on to college].2 out, those who are full-time students, and those who are immersed in the world of work. Public Some experts have voiced concerns that some Most see higher Agenda, a nonpartisan research and citizen African American youngsters underestimate the education group, designed and conducted the importance of higher education, or that too education as a way to study and prepared this summary of the results. many look down on it as irrelevant or acting both earn societys white.3 But the survey for Life after High School Paths Diverging demonstrates convincingly that large majorities respect and insure A number of key questions propelled this of all young adults aspire to better themselves career advancement research. We wanted to learn what lies behind through education. Regardless of race or ethnic and financial security. the fundamental and sometimes life-altering background, regardless of their parents choices young people make during the years income or educational attainment, regardless after high school. What, for example, influences of whether they themselves go on to college or their decision to continue schooling or to look for a job? What not, most young Americans believe that continuing to study after high school is an advantageous step. beliefs and assumptions guide them? What constraints limit them? What roles do financial reality, family expectations and Trading Down in Education social context play? Are there individuals who step in to help Even so, the reality is that roughly 1 in 3 young Americans and encourage them as they search for their own best path? do not go on to any form of higher education, and many of Or, do many young people fall into their future as much by those who do, dont end up graduating, according to the U.S. chance as by design? Census.4 In fact, rates for successful college completion have not changed appreciably in recent years. Life after High Given the long-lingering educational and income inequities School explores the complex set of reasons that may underlie that affect so many minority youngsters, we were especially interested in learning more about the expectations and experi- this finding. Not surprisingly, affordability is a major factor, one that affects both whether young people continue their ences of young people in different racial and ethnic groups.

1 We recognize that there are different preferences concerning the use of Latino and Hispanic. In this report we use the term Hispanic, because, according to surveys by the U.S. Census, this is the preference of majorities in this group. It is also the terminology the Census itself uses. 2 Unless otherwise specified, the term college as used in this report refers to the full range of post-secondary educational options, including 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges and technical schools. 3 Researchers have suggested that the academic achievement of African American students is hindered by a fear of the label acting white, earned for superior performance in or too much attention to academic work. John Ogbu, from the University of California, Berkeley, is one oft-cited anthropologist whose theories on the subject have been cited by such prominent figures as Bill Cosby and Senator Barack Obama (Steptoe, Sonja and Ann Arbor. Closing the Gap, Time Magazine 29 Nov 2004). See also, The Year in Ideas, The New York Times, 12 Dec 2004. 4 Sixty-four percent of students enroll in college immediately after graduation. Of those, 63% graduate within six years (Current Population Survey U.S. Census 2002).

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

2005 Public Agenda

education and which school they attend. Notably, most African American and Hispanic young adults who do go on to college report that they would have attended a different school if money had not been a consideration. About half of Asian American youngsters say this is true for them as well.

people still miss out on it? With so much emphasis on higher standards in high school, why do so many young people still say their high school should have done more to get them ready? And how much of a factor is affordability? According to the young people surveyed here, high tuition costs are still a deal killer for many who might otherwise continue their education. Finally, few would deny that many individuals shape constructive, honorable and satisfying lives without higher education, and there is a useful debate about whether all young people need or will even tolerate more schooling after high school. Even so, it is worth asking how comfortable we are with the haphazard, let the chips fall where they may career path so many young people who are not in college seem to be pursuing.

Life after High School also explores the precarious career track of young adults who enter the workforce without any higher education or after dropping It seems we have been out of college, and it sheds some light on why successful in inspiring young men are less likely to continue their schooling than young women are. According a goal, but whether to the survey, the large majority of these young we also provide the people are in their jobs by chance, not by assistance they need specific choice, and they are substantially less likely than those with degrees to see their to work toward it is current job as the opening to a future career.
another matter.

New Answers, New Questions

Life after High School offers thought-provoking answers to some persistent questions about young Americans aspirations and whether families, teachers, mentors, and others successfully inspire them to believe in educations ability to improve their lives. Most young people have absorbed the youve got to go to college message. Many are acting on it in their personal lives. But the study also raises some troubling questions. With such widespread belief in higher education, why do so many young

For the vast majority of youngsters, it seems we have been successful in inspiring a goal. Whether we also provide the real-life, down-to-earth assistance, mentoring and guidance they need to work toward it is another matter. And whether we match young adults belief in attending college with equal success in completing their degrees is an even more challenging question. At Public Agenda, our hope is that Life after High School will move the conversation about higher education on to some of these eminently practical and very important matters.

Methodology
The findings in Life after High School: Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects are based on telephone interviews with a national random sample of 1000 young adults aged 18 through 25, plus oversamples to ensure totals of 200 African American, Hispanic and Asian American young adults. Interviews were conducted between August 14 and September 4, 2004. The survey was preceded by five focus groups and in-depth interviews with a variety of experts in the field. The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points for the sample (n=1,000). It is plus or minus six percentage points for the subgroups of African American (n=200), Hispanic (n=200) and Asian American (n=200) young adults, and plus or minus five percentage points for the subgroup of non-Hispanic, white young people (n=740). Please note that the margin of error is higher when comparing percentages across subgroups with smaller sample sizes. The survey instrument was designed by Public Agenda, and Public Agenda is solely responsible for all analysis and interpretation of the data. Survey Sampling, Inc. supplied the sample, and the survey was fielded by Robinson and Muenster Associates, Inc. A more detailed methodology and the Complete Survey Results can be found in the full report, available for download at www.publicagenda.org.

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

FINDING ONE: High Hopes

Most young Americans are optimistic about their futures and, regardless of race or ethnic background, believe that attending college makes a genuine and significant difference in how people fare in the world. Although young African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to have college-educated parents or acquaintances, they are more likely than their Asian American or white peers to say that graduating from college is seen as an impressive accomplishment among their circle of friends.
43.75 56.25 68.75 81.25 93.75

The vast majority of young adults recognize the value of a college degree 87.5
% who agree with the following statements:*
75 0 a company when 62.5 75 87.5 100 Its easier to move up in12.5 25 37.5 50you have a 87.5 100 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 81.25 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 81.25 93.75 87.5 100 68.75 0 12.5 68.75 93.75 81.25 68.75 93.75 62.5 81.25 68.75 93.75 college degree 68.75 81.25 93.75

100

Young African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to say that nearly all their friends go on to college
In your circle of friends, how many would you say are going to college or have gone to college?
54% 37%

30% 20%

17% 19% 12% 16%

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

84% 84% 84% 90% 90% 90% 92% 92% 92% 88% 88% 88%

Virtually all

Most

Some
I ASIAN AMERICAN

Only a few or none

I AFRICAN AMERICAN I HISPANIC

Going to college gives people time to figure out what they really want to do
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

I WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

76% 76% 76% 88% 88% 88% 90% 90% 90% 85% 85% 85%

But they are more likely to say that their friends are impressed by someone with a college degree
0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100 In your circle of friends, what do most people 56.25 about81.25 93.75 100 43.75 0 12.5 2531.2537.5 50 think 68.7575 87.5 62.5 31.25 93.75 someone who graduates 12.5 college? 43.75 5056.25 68.75 7581.25 87.5 100 from 25 37.5 0 62.5
31.25 43.75 56.25 68.75 81.25 93.75

People respect you more when they know you've graduated from college 77% 77% 77% AFRICAN AMERICAN 81% 81% HISPANIC 81% 85% 85% 85% ASIAN AMERICAN 81% 81% 81% WHITE, NON-HISPANIC College helps prepare you for the real world
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

Most people are really impressed

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

29% 29% 27% 27% 29% 27%

46% 46%53% 53% 46% 53%

78% 78% 78% 76% 76% 76% 76% 76% 76% 73% 73% 73%

It is something they look down on 7% AFRICAN AMERICAN 7% 3% 7% HISPANIC 3% 1% ASIAN AMERICAN 1% 3% 2% 2% 1% WHITE, NON-HISPANIC 2% It is just something routine and expected
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

*NOTE: Question wording in charts may be slightly edited for space. Full question wording and answer categories are available at Public Agendas website, www.publicagenda.org. Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding or the omission of some answer categories.

46% 46% 41% 41% 46% 41%

70% 70% 68% 68% 70% 68%

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

2005 Public Agenda

7% 16%

89% 89% 50 89% 94% 94% HISPANIC 94% 89% 89% 37.5 ASIAN AMERICAN 89% 92% 92% 31.25 WHITE, NON-HISPANIC 92% 25 18.75 In the long run, you will make more money if you have a college degree 12.5
AFRICAN AMERICAN

26% 29% 27% 31%

28% 32%

FINDING TWO: Someone to Watch Over Me

Vast majorities of young adults across all racial and ethnic groups say their parents and teachers encouraged them to aim for college. But large numbers also report that there were not enough counselors in their own high school, and young adults are divided on the degree to which they received individualized guidance from them.

Most young people have had someone who has inspired and encouraged them
% of young adults who say that: They had a teacher or coach in high school who really 87.5 100 inspired 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 81.25 93.75 68.75 81.25 68.75 93.75 them and motivated them to do their best 68.75 81.25 93.75
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

School counselors were often in short supply

Thinking about the number of students in your high school, would you say that: There were too few counselors 5% There were too many counselors 1% There were no counselors [Voluntary Response]

53% 41%

79% 79% 79% 70% 70% 70% 69% 69% 69% 76% 76% 76%

They had a teacher who really took an interest in them personally and encouraged them to go to college
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

The ratio of counselors to students was about right

74% 74% 74% 69% 69% 69% 63% 63% 63% 66% 66% 66%

And the quality of counseling gets mixed reviews

52% The counselors usually made an effort to really get to know me and to treat me as an individual

Their parents strongly expected them to go to college

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

61% 61% 61% 59% 59% 59% 63% 63% 63%

47%

86% 86% 86%

I usually felt like I was just another face in the crowd

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

FINDING THREE: Just What Can I Afford?

Despite believing in higher education and getting encouragement from parents, teachers and others, many young people compromise, or set this goal aside because of finances. Lack of money is not the only reason young adults dont go on to college, but it is a recurring theme, especially among African Americans and Hispanics. And the money dilemma continues even for those who do get their foot in the college door. The majority of African Americans and Hispanics and about half of Asian Americans say that they would have gone to a different school if money were not a consideration.

68.75 About half of young people who dont go on 93.75 81.25 to college say that they couldnt afford it 50

75 I didnt go to/continue with college because: 46%

68.75 68.75

12.5

25

37.5

62.5

87.5

100

Young African Americans and Hispanics are less confident that qualified students can generally find money for college
% who say that the vast 12.5 25 of people who want to go 100 0 majority 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 68.75 81.25 to college and are qualified can find a way to pay for it 93.75
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

68.75 68.75 I wanted to work and make money 50 37.5 12.5 25 62.568.75 75 0 37.5 49% 50 12.5 25 50 62.5 0 37.5 12.5 25 75 62.5 0 75 46% 50 37.5 12.5 25 62.5 46% 0 75 46% I couldnt afford it 46% 46% 49% 49% 49% I had too many other responsibilities 28% 49% 46% 46% 46%

81.25 81.25 81.25 81.25 81.25

87.5 100 87.593.75100 87.5 100 87.5 100

93.75 93.75 93.75 93.75

46% 45% 54% 59% 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100

68.75 81.25 93.75

And most say they would45% gone to a have 59% different school if money were not an issue 54%

46%

46% I had enough of school and didn't want to go anymore 24% 28% 28% 28% 28% 24% My grades were too low 24% 24% 24% 24% My career goals didn't require a college degree 24% 24% 24% 24%
BASE: Dropped out or never went to a 2-year or 4-year college (n=342)

58% 59% 51% % who say that If financial concerns were not an issue, 40% they would have chosen a different school to go to after high school
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

59% 58% 51% 40%

76% 88% 90% 85%

BASE: Have attended any higher education or just starting (African American n=141, Hispanic n=136, Asian American n=174, White n=592)

76%

Many young people who higher education say schools and teachers should have done more to prepare them

88% 77% 90% 81% 85% continue on 85% to 81%

77% % who say that high school teachers and 62.581%should 100 75 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 classes 87.5 68.75 78% 81.25 93.75 have done more to prepare them for college-level work 85% 76% 81% 76% AFRICAN AMERICAN 51% 73% HISPANIC 48% 44% ASIAN AMERICAN 39% WHITE, NON-HISPANIC 78% 76% BASE: Have attended a 2-year or 4-year college 76% (African American n=115, Hispanic n=120, Asian American n=151, White n=507) 73%

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

2005 Public Agenda

FINDING FOUR: No Degree, No Problem?

While the overwhelming majority of young adults recognize the value and importance of higher education, most young adults also believe that college is not for everyone. Young men are especially likely to see merit in a non-college path. But the experiences of those who either dont go to college or who drop out suggest that the alternative path is hardly clear and purposeful. Most young workers who dont complete degrees say they are in their current jobs by chance and relatively few see their current work as the path to a real career.0This group is also 62.5 75 87.5 to report that they could have worked harder in high school. 12.5 25 37.5 50 more likely 100
68.75 81.25 93.75

56.25 68.75 81.25 93.75 56.25 68.75 56.25 81.25 93.75 Young people without degrees are more 68.75 81.25 likely to say schools and teachers should have done % who say they: Fin in Fou* more to prepare them, and most also d r 100 g 100 100 admit that they could have worked harder 69% Chartg [Bar art 1.D r Went to college because they really enjoy being in school din Fou* Ch s] Fin 58% in school 87.5 87.5 high87.5

Young men more attracted to work right after high school

12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100 68.75 81.25 93.75 42% 56% 42% 56%

43.75

43.75

43.75

93.75

38%47% 62% 48% 54%

56.25

56.25

56.25

32% 32% 37.5 22% [Q44 BASE: Ever went to a 2-year or 4-year college or just starting 31.25 ] 32% 32% 0 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 100 25 Didnt continue with college because they wanted to work
YOUNG MEN
68.75 81.25 93.75

and make money

YOUNG WOMEN YOUNG MEN
43.75 56.25

7%

7%

56%
56.25 56.2568.75 68.75 68.75 81.25 56.25 81.25 81.25 93.75 68.75 93.75 93.75 81.25

BASE: Dropped out or never went to a 2-year or 4-year college 43.75 43.75 43.75

93.75

100

87.5 75 62.5
56.25

70% 56% 56% 70% 70%

56.25 56.25

56.25

50

56% 32% 70% 15% 32% 41% 15% 37% 32% 41% 15% 37% 41% 26% 37% 48% 41% 26% 37% 48% 26% 48%

56%

37.5 37.5 37.5

31.25 31.25 31.25

37.5

32%

32%

31.25

48%

22% You m work ng en college level Most young workers without degrees say Fin in Fou* workplace d g orr the 100100 100 they are in their jobs by chance, and few see 69% Chart [BarCh s] 1.D art 58% I HAVE A DEGREE* I NO DEGREE 87.5 their current job as a career 87.5 87.5 /[Ttl You wom en ha pos vevies on sch g/ i e] ng ve iti w oolin * Includes those who have completed a 4-year college, 2-year college or job: y t : 75 75 % of employed young adults who say that their current % who sa hey school program 75 vocational [Q26 typ lly ] ica got As i scho n high ol 62.5 62.5 62.5 45% You w ng omen 100 0 32% You 12.5 25 37.5 50 62.5 75 87.5 ng m en 50 50 50 22%
68.75 81.25 93.75

prepare them for

to get by

in high school

18.75

18.75 18.75

18.75

15%

12.5 12.5 12.5 0 0 0

12.5 0

26%

25

25 25

25

Young workers without degrees are less likely [Q44 weto say theirbec 7% expected them to go on cho ] nttocol egefamilies 7% 7% ll njo b in n s ol l aus th reay e y e g i e ey 7% high school to college after 3% 3% 3% 3%

32% 22%
7%

You w ng omen 1% 1% 1% 1% % of m say You employed young adults who 2% their parents ng en 2% 2% 2%
7%
strongly expected them to go to college:

Was chosen by chance

I HAVE A DEGREE*

Is a career

Is a steppingstone to a career

Is just a job to get by

I NO DEGREE

[Q39 di t ont e wit coege becus th had enoughof sch ] dn' c inu h ll 67% e ey a ol 32% You w 40% ng omen 32% 46% 46% 46% 46% 22% You m ng en 41% 41% 41% 41%
I HAVE A DEGREE* I NO DEGREE
* Includes those who have completed a 4-year college, 2-year college or vocational school program

7% 7%

BASE: Currently employed full-time or part-time (n=691) * Includes those who have completed a 4-year college, 2-year college or vocational school program

70% 70% 70% 70% 68% 68% 68% 68%

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

7%

42%

You m 37.5 ng en 37.5 wettocol ege aus th reay njo b in n cho n l bec e ey ll e y e g i s ol You col ege aus th reay njo b in n cho ng w l 25 bec e ey ll e y e g i s ol omen [Q44 wet25 ] n to 22% You m 12.5 ng omen 32% You w ng en 12.5 12.5 22% You m ng en 0 dn' ont e [Q39 di t 0c inu0 wit coege becus th had enoughof sch ] h ll a e ey ol Their high school Their high They could have 32% ] diteachersomen wit school teachersaus paid ahad enoughof sch You cwinu ng and [Q39 dn' ont e h made it easy to e attention and t coege bec ll th lot more ey o classes should have 22% You a m more to do just enough ng w en done lot worked harder 32% You omen ng
38%
31.25
31.25

18.75

18.75

38%47% 54% 48%

18.75

47% 62% 54%

48%

/[Ttl You wom en ha pos vevies on sch g/ i e] ng art iti w oolin Chart [BarCh s] ve 1.D % hey 75 adults who say that: of young YOUNG MEN %75who sang wom en ha pos vevies on sch g/ 75 /[Ttl You : i e] y t ve iti w oolin [Q26 typhey ] sa lly ica got As i scho n high ol Didnt continue with college because they had enough of who y t : % 62.5 62.5 45% ] typ llyomen n i scho ng 62.5 school and didnt want to go any more [Q26 You got As high ol ica w 32% You m 50 ng en YOUNG WOMEN 50 50ng omen 22% 45% You w
YOUNG WOMEN

69%

78%

78%

62%

78%

58%

FINDING FIVE: On the Road

Young Americans who do go on to college whether a 4-year or 2-year institution are convinced that their efforts will give them a leg up on a good career. The vast majority say their parents instilled the importance of college in them, and large numbers say they enjoy being in school. Most African American, Hispanic and Asian American young people expect to surpass their parents standard of living; their white peers, however, are more divided on whether they will do better than their parents have financially.

Most young adults who go on to college have supportive parents and specific jobs in mind
% of young adults who say they went to college because:

37.5 75 87.5 100 25 62.5 50 0 Their12.5 25always instilled in them the importance parents 100 37.5 87.5 93.75 62.5 68.75 75 81.25 50 0 12.5 100 37.5 87.5 93.75 of 12.5 62.5 68.75 75 81.25 50 0 college 25 93.75 68.75 81.25 86% 62.5 50 0 12.5 25 37.5 75 87.5 100 86% 93.75 68.75 81.25 93.75 68.75 81.25 86% The job they want specifically requires it 77% 86% 77% 77% 64% They really enjoy being in school 77% 64% 64%

Most young people are optimistic about their financial future, but African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans are especially so when compared to their white peers
% of young people0 12.5 25 37.5 50 financially 87.5 100 who think they will be 62.5 75 better 68.75 81.25 93.75 off than their parents:
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC ASIAN AMERICAN WHITE, NON-HISPANIC

74% 72% 75% 57%

64% 33% They really didn't know what they wanted to do after 33% high school 33% 33% 28% 28% 28% Most of their friends were going 28%
BASE: Ever went to a 2-year or 4-year college or just starting (n=754)

10

LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

2005 Public Agenda

Public Agenda
OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Yankelovich Chairman, Co-Founder Sidney Harman Chairman, Executive Committee

CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN

Richard Danzig Former Secretary of the Navy Alice S. Huang California Institute of Technology Bobby R. Inman Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired) David Mathews Kettering Foundation Lloyd Morrisett Former President, Markle Foundation Judith Davidson Moyers Public Affairs Television, Inc. Peter G. Peterson The Blackstone Group Lois Dickson Rice The Brookings Institution Alice Rivlin The Brookings Institution Max Stier Partnership for Public Service Deborah Wadsworth Senior Advisor, Public Agenda

Cyrus Vance 1976-1999

MEMBER EMERITUS

Frank Stanton Former President, CBS Ruth A. Wooden President

PUBLIC AGENDA

Public Agenda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nonpartisan public policy research. Founded in 1975 by former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, Public Agenda is well respected for its influential public opinion surveys and balanced citizen education materials. Its mission is to inject the publics voice into crucial policy debates. Public Agenda seeks to inform leaders about the publics views and to engage citizens in discussing complex policy issues.

Public Agenda 6 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-6610 Fax: (212) 889-3461 Web site: www.publicagenda.org Price: $5.00 ISBN: 1-889483-86-9