PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC-SCHOOL TAXES

Examined psychological sense of community (PSC) as a possible catalyst for community development by testing its relationship to people's support for improving local public schools. A model of people's intention to vote in an upcoming tax referendum election was illustrated and tested using several predictor variables: school-related beliefs, PSC, and demographic characteristics. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with two samples (ns = 601, 182) in Hoover, Alabama, to assess the variables in the model. Path analysis supported parts of the model. PSC was significantly related to vote intention, but its effects were by way of the school beliefs variable. Implications are drawn for advocacy of public school systems and for views of PSC as a catalyst for community improvement.