Disaster preparedness and educational attainment

Lauren A. Menard, EdD; Robert O. Slater, PhD; Jim Flaitz, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2011.0066

Authors

Lauren A. Menard, EdD
Robert O. Slater, PhD
Jim Flaitz, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2011.0066

Keywords:

disaster preparedness, emergency management systems, emergency notification systems, educational attainment, institutions of higher education

Abstract

The relationship between level of educational attainment and degree of self-reported disaster preparedness was investigated with national 2008 data. Americans with a post-secondary degree were expected to be more prepared because of exposure to university emergency systems and because education may impact the degree to which individuals process risk-minimizing information. The χ2 procedure produced statistically significant associations between all disaster preparedness measures and post-secondary degree status. Logistic regressions confirmed associations between the dependent measures and a post-secondary degree status, with all measures producing statistically significant t values. Positive correlations between post-secondary educational attainment and measures of disaster preparedness were stronger for having an emergency plan (b = 0.789) and knowing where to get additional information (b = 0.755).

Author Biographies

Lauren A. Menard, EdD

K12, Vermilion Parish School System, Abbeville, Louisiana.

Robert O. Slater, PhD

Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana.

Jim Flaitz, PhD

Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana.

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