This document reports on the results of a study of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of community participants in the educational decision-making processes. The research utilized the results of the Gallup Polls of the Public's Attitude toward Education for the years 1974, 1977, 1980, and 1983. The data sets of the Gallup Polls were used to examine the relationship between high or low assessments of the public schools and the following variables: parental status, education, age, gender, city size, academic problems, social problems, religious preference, and geographic region. Only four variables--parental status, age, city size, and academic problems--were found to be significant for all four of the years tested. Parents were found to be significantly more positive about the public schools than were nonparents. People over age 50 revealed a relatively more positive assessment than people under 30. People living in cities with a population over 500,000 were less positive about public schools than people living in midsized cities (between 10,000 and 500,000). Lower grades were given to schools in communities where the public perceived academic problems in the schools. Two tables are included. An appendix provides questionnaire item statements and four references. (IW)