Attitudes of the superintendents and school board officials of 25 major cities concerning the operation of their schools were determined. In lengthy discussions, these officials observed that big city schools need massive financial assistance from State and Federal governments, since the local property tax as a base is inadequate, and because the raising of local taxes would hasten the flight to the suburbs. These administrators are also convinced that, for urban schools to receive their "fair share," federal aid must bypass State and municipal agencies and come directly to the urban school systems. They also advocate "more than equal" amounts of money to provide equal educational opportunity for all children; see racial integration as a large problem facing big city schools; consider education vouchers a threat to integration efforts, and favor metropolitanism as an integration method. These officials urge decentralization of big city school systems inclusive of community participation, but exclusive of community control of schools. They oppose the use of public funds for assistance to nonpublic schools. (For related document, see ED 058 473.) (Author/JF)