A statewide goal priority instrument was validated. Public hearings were held, the results summarized by citizens, and an instrument constructed on this summary. The instrument design was that of Stake and Gooler, which suggests important variations in respondent publics, the scales employed, and the specificity of the statements. These variations were confirmed. A diverse group of respondents was interviewed. The validity of the instrument was deemed to be high except that it did not detect an underlying dissatisfaction. Technical and substantive results of the field test are discussed. Caution is suggested in gathering data from the general public. (Author)