NEW YORK -- A new feature by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Public Agenda that explains where Americans stand on a number of critical campaign issues debuts today in the March edition of American Demographics magazine.The eight-part series, Voter 2000, will appear in each edition of the magazine until the November election, examining topics that are shaping the election campaign such as youth violence, the environment and health care. Written by Michael deCourcy Hinds, vice president and executive editor of Public Agenda, uses colorful charts and precise analysis to explain the complexities of public opinion.

Public Agenda is sharing its extensive knowledge of public opinion and its unique perspective with a magazine that has long been regarded as the premier observer of consumer trends in this country, said Deborah Wadsworth, executive director of Public Agenda. Our feature will explain both the big picture and give a sense of what Americans want out of their leaders.

The March installment takes on the number one voter concern: education. Based on Public Agenda's own surveys as well as polls by other leading organizations, Mr. Hinds points out that Americans have less and less confidence in their public schools and have divergent opinions on whether high schools succeed in teaching all students the basics. At the same time, according to polls, the public does not seem to believe in one simple way of improving the education system. And when it comes to recent proposals such as school vouchers and charter schools, most Americans acknowledge they know very little or nothing about how they work.

Additional information on education and 18 other policy areas can be found on Public Agenda Online (www.publicagenda.org). The acclaimed Web site also carries Clarifying Issues 2000, a series of concise voter guides in PDF format that explain public policy on different election issues.

With this eight-part series, American Demographics is happy to collaborate with Public Agenda to bring its expertise to decision makers and voters, said John McManus, the magazine's associate publisher. We believe the column will give our readers a comprehensive look at the key issues driving the campaign.

Public Agenda is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in New York City that is well respected for its influential public opinion polls and its balanced education materials. Its mission is to inform leaders about the public s views and inform citizens about government policy. It was founded in 1975 by Cyrus R. Vance, the former secretary of state, and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author.

American Demographics (www.demographics.com) is a monthly magazine published by Intertec Publishing, a Primedia company, that covers consumer trends for business leaders and marketing professionals.