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Welcome to the online version of the
38th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

Gallup PollBy Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup

Please allow the entire poll to load before attempting to use the navigational links below.

PDK/Gallup Poll Advisory Panel
Introduction
Major Findings and Conclusions
Source of School Improvement
Rating of the Public Schools
Choice Through Vouchers
Choice Through Charters
The Source of K-12 Problems
Tables for the Major Findings and Conclusions: Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5,
     Table 6, Table 7, Table 8, and Table 9


Further 2006 Results
Biggest Problem: Table 10
Governance: Table 11 , Table 12, and Table 13
Testing Table 14, Table 15, Table 16, and Table 17
The Achievement Gap: Table 18, Table 19, Table 20, Table 21, and Table 22
Curriculum: Table 23, Table 24, Table 25, and Table 26
Teachers and Teaching: Table 27
Time in School: Table 28, Table 29, Table 30, Table 31, and Table 32
NCLB Questions
     Benchmarks: Table 33, Table 34, and Table 35
     Strategies Used in NCLB: Table 36, Table 37, Table 38, Table 39, Table 40, Table 41, Table 42, and Table 43
     Public's View of Failures: Table 44
Closing Statement
Research Procedure
Sampling Tolerances
Design of the Sample
Composition of the Sample
How to Order the Poll
Conducting Your Own Poll
COMMENTARY: An Strong Message, Anne L. Bryant
COMMENTARY: Support for Local Schools Still Strong, M. Donald Thomas
COMMENTARY: Americans Want Something Different, Chester E. Finn, Jr.

NEW for PDK Members! PDK/Gallup Poll Archive
Members -- log-in to access the new poll archive, which integrates all of the topics that have been covered in current and past polls. Nearly one-third of the specific questions and results are currently available through links in the archive.

Links to Previous Polls
PDK Press Release
Download the 38th Annual Poll as a printable pdf file
(Download Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's site)


PowerPoint Slide Show: Click here to view a PowerPoint slide show of the major policy implications of this year's findings. Download a copy and use the slide show in a chapter or community gathering to inform others of the results. Note: In addition to the information on the slides, you can also find additional notes about the content of each slide. With the slide show open in PowerPoint, go to View on the toolbar and choose the Notes Page format.

Streaming Video
Interview with Dr. Lowell C. Rose, Poll Director:
Click here to view video streams with Dr. Lowell C. Rose, PDK poll director, as he discusses the major policy implications of this year's findings with PDK executive director, Dr. William J. Bushaw. You will need Windows MediaPlayer or other video viewer to view the streaming video. Note: a copy of the complete video in DVD format will be sent to all PDK chapter presidents, free of charge, to use in chapter and community activities. The DVD provides you with the option of viewing the program in its entirety or viewing each segment separately. The second option works very well as a way to generate discussion on the polls policy implications. After viewing each segment, you can open up the floor to discuss the findings presented in the segment. Individuals also may order a DVD for only $4.95 to cover the shipping and handling. Call 800-766-1156 and ask for the shipping department to place an order. Have your credit card ready. For more information or if you are seeking official comment on The 38th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, e-mail dmccullough@pdkintl.org.

PDK/Gallup Poll Advisory Panel

The following individuals worked with Alec Gallup and the Gallup Organization to select and frame the questions asked in the 38th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools.

Frederick M. Hess, Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute,
     Washington, D.C.
Paul Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators, Washington, D.C.
Jack Jennings, President and CEO, Center on Education Policy, Washington, D.C.
Rossi Ray-Taylor, Executive Director, Minority Student Achievement Network, Evanston, Ill.
William J. Bushaw, Executive Director, Phi Delta Kappa International.
Jo Ann Fujioka, President, Phi Delta Kappa International.
Lowell C. Rose, Executive Director Emeritus, Phi Delta Kappa International.
Bruce Smith, Editor, Phi Delta Kappan.
Sandra Weith, Associate Executive Director, Phi Delta Kappa International.

 

The 38th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

AS THIS poll appears for its 38th consecutive year, it serves as a memorial and a continuing tribute to the work of George Gallup, Sr. He was one of the poll's founders, considered it his poll, picked the panel to select the questions, oversaw the surveying, analyzed the results, and wrote the report. He drew great satisfaction from the poll and watched over it closely until his death in 1984. The close relationship between the Gallup Organization and Phi Delta Kappa International continues today with Alec Gallup, Chairman of the Gallup Poll, replacing his father. Since 1992, I have had the pleasure of directing the poll for PDK. Alec and I share the belief that being true to the poll's heritage requires keeping it free from bias while operating at the cutting edge of issues facing K-12 schools. Alec controls the wording of the questions and is responsible for making sure that the findings and conclusions are supported by the data. We present the results here in a user-friendly fashion intended to permit readers to delve into the data to verify our interpretations or draw their own conclusions. -- LCR

Major Findings and Conclusions

The results of this poll are released at a press conference held in August in the Gallup Building in Washington, D.C. The first question a reporter asked at a recent conference was, "What are the major story lines of this poll?" Opening by answering that question has now become standard practice for the press conference, and we replicate it here by starting with the findings and conclusions that we believe have the greatest significance. Our aim is not to minimize or downplay the remaining findings and conclusions. However, we believe that the findings and conclusions presented here provide a context for interpreting the remaining results.

The major findings center on how people want improvement to come about, on the way the public assesses the public schools, and on how it views some of the strategies used in current change efforts. (The tables pertaining to these questions are grouped at the end of this section.) Everything else in this poll builds to the final section, which deals with the change strategy dominating K-12 education today, the implementation of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.

Source of School Improvement

We begin with a brief story. A reporter at the 2001 press conference suggested asking the public whether improvement in public education should be sought by reforming the existing system or by finding an alternative system. This question would provide a benchmark to use in weighing the responses to questions dealing with proposals for change. The suggestion was accepted, a question was framed and asked in 2002, and the question has been repeated in each subsequent poll. (See Table 1.)

Findings. The 2002 question found that 69% of the public expressed a preference for improvement through reforming the existing system. The number this year is 71%. By contrast, just 27% of respondents in 2002 preferred seeking an alternative system, and that figure is at 24% for 2006.

Conclusion I. The public's strong preference is to seek improvement through the existing public schools. Policies shaped with this fact in mind are most likely to gain public approval.

Rating of the Public Schools

Each year we ask the public to assess its schools using the familiar A to F scale. This practice started in 1974 with a question asking respondents to grade the schools in the local community. Grading of the nation's schools was added in 1981, and, beginning in 1985, parents were asked to grade the school their oldest child attends. Each question has been repeated every year since it was first asked. (See Tables 2, 3, and 4.)

Findings. In this year's poll, 49% give the schools in the community an A or a B. The percentage last year was 48%. The percentage of A's and B's climbs to 56% for public school parents and to 64% when parents grade the school their oldest child attends. The nation's schools continue to draw the lowest grades, with just 21% of the public awarding them an A or a B. Of course, the nation's schools must also be schools in someone's "community" and schools someone's "oldest child attends."

Conclusion II. Public ratings of the local schools are near the top of their 38-year range.

Conclusion III. The closer people get to the schools in the community, the higher the grades they give them.

Conclusion IV. Policies at the state and federal levels that build on the assumption that local schools have a high approval rating are likely to gain public support.

Conclusion V. Gaining public support for school improvement will be more likely if proposals are based on the schools in the community and not on the nation's schools.

In stories reported about the public schools, declining public support for the schools is taken almost as a given. The grades assigned the schools in this poll since 1974 demonstrate clearly that such is not the case.

Findings:

* In 1974, 48% of the public gave schools in the community a grade of A or B. In 2006, the percentage awarding local schools an A or a B is 49%.

* In 1994, 66% of parents gave the school their oldest child attends a grade of A or B. This year's figure is 64%.

Conclusion VI. There has been no decline in public support for public schools. Approval ratings remain high and remarkably stable.

Choice Through Vouchers

Vouchers that parents can use to send their children to private, church-related, or public schools of their choice are an alternative that first received public notice after a 1955 address by economist Milton Friedman. He saw vouchers as a way of providing competition for the public schools. However, vouchers remain controversial because they touch on the line involving separation of church and state and because they are seen as diverting money from the public schools. Since 1991, the PDK/Gallup polls have approached this issue with a question that measures approval of the voucher concept -- "allowing parents and students to choose a private school to attend at public expense" -- without using the politically charged word "vouchers." Table 5 provides this year's results. In considering the results, it is useful to keep in mind that choice, independent of a specific program, is popular with the public.

Findings. The percentage favoring vouchers dropped from 38% a year ago to 36% this year, while opposition grew from 57% to 60%. Support for vouchers started at 24% in 1993, fluctuated up and down for years, and peaked at 46% in 2002. It is now at the mid-Nineties level.

Conclusion VII. Support for vouchers is declining and stands in the mid-30% range.

Choice Through Charters

Although charter schools are public schools, many people do not think of them as such, because they operate outside the traditional K-12 structure. The two charter questions in this year's poll explore public support for the idea of charter schools and public understanding of the nature of such schools. The second question is new and was asked because public comments on charters often reflect a lack of understanding of the concept. (See Tables 6 and 7.)

Findings. Public approval of charter schools has climbed from 42% in 2000 to 53% in 2006. This finding must be weighed against responses indicating that the concept is not clearly understood. Here are some comparisons:

* 39% of respondents say charter schools are public schools; 53% say they are not (fact: they are public schools).

* 50% say charters are free to teach religion; 34% say they are not (fact: they are not).

* 60% say charters can charge tuition; 29% say they cannot (fact: they cannot).

* 58% say charters can base student selection on ability; 29% say they cannot (fact: they cannot).

Conclusion VIII. Those who would implement the charter school concept should ensure that the public has a clear understanding of the nature of such schools.

The Source of K-12 Problems

We are often asked why grades for the local schools remain so high in the face of such negative factors as the persistent achievement gap and unacceptably high dropout rates. The answer may lie in the responses to two questions -- one first asked in 1990, the other first asked in 2002. The first asked whether the fault for the problems of schools lay primarily with the schools or should be attributed to problems of the larger society. The second asked whether the achievement gap was mostly related to the quality of schooling received or to other factors. (See Tables 8 and 9.)

Findings. In 1990, 73% faulted the effect of societal problems and 16% the performance of schools. The corresponding figures this year are 70% and 22%. When asked in 2002 about the achievement gap, 66% attributed it to other factors, and 29% to the quality of schooling received. The corresponding figures this year are 77% and 19%.

Conclusion IX. There is near-consensus support for the belief that the problems the public schools face result from societal issues and not from the quality of schooling.

Tables for the Major Findings and Conclusions

TABLE 1. In order to improve public education in America, some people think the focus should be on reforming the existing public school system. Others believe the focus should be on finding an alternative to the existing public school system. Which approach do you think is preferable -- reforming the existing public school system or finding an alternative to the existing public school system?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '04
%
'03
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '04
'03
%
'02
%
Reform existing system 71 68 66 73 69 72 67 63 73 69 69 72 72 73 69
Finding alternative system 24 23 26 25 27 23 23 28 24 26 25 22 21 25 27
Don't know 5 9 8 2 4 5 10 9 3 5 6 6 7 2 4

 

TABLE 2. Students are often given the grades of A, B, C, D, and FAIL to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves, in your community, were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the public schools here -- A, B, C, D, or FAIL?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
A & B 49 48 47 45 56 57
A 13 12 11 9 20 20
B 36 36 36 36 36 37
C 32 29 33 29 30 29
D 9 9 9 9 9 8
FAIL 5 5 5 4 4 5
Don't know 5 9 6 13 1 1

TABLE 3. Using the A, B, C, D, and FAIL scale again, what grade would you give the school your oldest child attends?
  Public School
Parents
   '06
%
'05
%
A & B 64 69
A 26 31
B 38 38
C 24 21
D 5 6
FAIL 4 4
Don't know 3

*

*Less than one-half of 1%.

TABLE 4. How about the public schools in the nation as a whole? What grade would you give the public schools nationally -- A, B, C, D, or FAIL?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
A & B 21 24 21 24 22 26
A 2 2 1 2 3 3
B 19 22 20 22 19 23
C 51 46 50 47 51 42
D 14 13 14 14 13 8
FAIL 3 4 4 3 3 6
Don't know 11 13 11 12 11 18

TABLE 5. Do you favor or oppose allowing students and parents to choose a private school to attend at public expense?
  National
Totals
  '06
%
'05
%
 '04
%
'03
%
 '02
%
'01
%
'97
%
'93
%
Favor 36 38 42 38 46 34 44 24
Oppose 60 57 54 60 52 64 52 74
Don't know 4 5 4 2 2 2 4 2

TABLE 6. As you may know, charter schools operate under a charter or contract that frees them from many of the state regulations imposed on public schools and permits them to operate independently. Do you favor or oppose the idea of charter schools?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'02
%
'00
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '02
%
'00
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '02
'00
%
Favor 53 49 44 42 50 49 44 42 59 48 44 40
Oppose 34 41 43 47 37 40 43 47 31 43 44 47
Don't know 13 10 13 11 13 11 13 11 10 9 12 13

 

TABLE 7. Just from what you know or have heard about charter schools, please tell me whether each of the following statements is true or false.
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  True
%
False
%
Don't
Know
%
True
%
False
%
Don't
Know
%
True
%
False
%
Don't
Know
%
A charter school is a public school 39 53 8 40 53 7 36 55 9
Charter schools are free to teach religion 50 34 16 48 35 17 57 31 12
Charter schools can charge tuition 60 29 11 63 27 10 54 33 13
Charter schools can select students on the basis of ability 58 29 13 59 28 13 57 31 12

TABLE 8. In your opinion, which is most at fault for the problems currently facing public education in this community -- the performance of the local schools or the effect of societal problems?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'90
%
 '06
%
'90
%
 '06
%
'90
%
Performance of schools 22 16 22 14 23 18
Effect of societal problems 70 73 71 73 68 75
Don't know 8 11 7 13 9 7

TABLE 9. In your opinion, is the achievement gap between white students and black and Hispanic students mostly related to the quality of schooling received or mostly related to other factors?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
Mostly related to quality of schooling received 19 17 19 29 19 17 19 31 17 17 20 22
Mostly related to other factors 77 75 74 66 76 75 73 64 79 75 76 75
Don't know 4 8 7 5 5 8 8 5 4 8 4 3

 

Further 2006 Results

Biggest Problem

This is the one question that has been asked in each of the 38 polls. Respondents are free to mention any problem that comes to mind, and Table 10 displays the percentage of respondents who mentioned a given problem. Discipline was the top problem for the poll's first 16 years. Drugs then took over and occupied the top position alone until financial support drew into a tie in 1991. Frequent changes occurred in the Nineties until lack of financial support came back to the top in 2000. It has held that position in each poll since.

TABLE 10. What do you think are the biggest problems the public schools of your community must deal with?
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
Lack of financial support/funding/money 24 20 21 25 19 22 21 21 20
Overcrowded schools 13 11 10 12 9 9 16 15 13
Lack of discipline, more control 11 10 10 12 12 10 7 8 8
Use of drugs/dope 8 9 7 8 9 7 7 8 7
Pupils' lack of interest 6 * 3 6 * 4 6 * 2
Parents' lack of support 5 12 4 5 2 5 6 3 3
Fighting/violence/gangs 5 8 6 6 7 6 4 10 6
*Less than one-half of 1%.

Findings. Lack of financial support tops the poll, with 24% of mentions.

Conclusion X. The public is aware of the link between adequate funding and effective schooling and understands that current funding levels are a challenge for schools.

Governance

Given the increasing role played by those at the state level and the growth in federal influence through NCLB, it seemed timely to repeat a 1980 question regarding the influence of the levels of government on what is taught in local schools. The remaining two questions deal with recent directions in the governance of some schools.

TABLE 11. In your opinion, who should have the greatest influence in deciding what is taught in the public schools here -- the federal government, the state government, or the local school board?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'80
%
 '06
%
'80
%
 '06
%
'80
%
The federal government 14 9 13 9 15 8
The state government 26 15 26 16 28 15
The local school board 58 68 59 66 55 70
Don't know 2 8 2 9 2 7

TABLE 12. Would you favor or oppose a plan in which your local school board would contract with private profit-making corporations to run the entire operations of the public schools in your community?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'02
%
Favor 24 31 24 31 25 30
Oppose 69 65 70 64 68 67
Don't know 7 4 6 5 7 3

TABLE 13. In some communities that have a large percentage of low-performing public school students, the mayors have taken control of the entire public school system to attempt to correct the situation. If the public schools in your community had a large percentage of low-performing students, would you favor or oppose having the mayor take control of the schools?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
 '06
%
 '06
%
Favor 29 28 33
Oppose 67 69 63
Don't know 4 3 4

Findings. While 58% still prefer that the local school board make decisions as to what is taught in local schools, that percentage is down from 68% in 1980. The shift has been in the direction of the state level, where the percentage has grown from 15% to 26%. The percentage saying the federal government should have the greatest influence has gone up from 9% to 14%. Contracting out the operation of entire public school systems is now approved by 24% of respondents, down from 31% in 2002. Having the mayor take over control of schools with a large number of low-performing students is favored by only 29%.

Conclusion XI. The public's preference is that the local school board make decisions about what the schools teach. Of those favoring decisions at the state or federal level, two-thirds opt for the state. True to its preference for change through the existing school system, the public opposes contracting with private firms for the operation of schools and having mayors take over schools with large numbers of low-performing students.

Testing

Federal and state accountability efforts have brought about a significant increase in the amount of testing. Public reaction to the increase has been tracked in the first of the following questions. The next two questions deal with whether the emphasis on testing promotes "teaching to the test" and whether or not that would be a good thing. The final question is new and seeks the public's reaction to the use of a qualifying exam to determine whether a diploma should be given.

TABLE 14. Now, here are some questions about testing. In your opinion, is there too much emphasis on achievement testing in the public schools in your community, not enough emphasis on testing, or about the right amount?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
'00
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '04
%
'02
%
'00
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '04
'02
%
'00
%
Too much 39 36 32 31 30 36 35 30 30 28 45 39 36 32 34
Not enough 25 17 22 19 23 28 17 23 20 26 17 17 20 14 19
About the right amount 33 40 40 47 43 32 39 40 46 41 37 43 43 54 46
Don't know 3 7 6 3 4 4 9 7 4 5 1 1 1 * 1
*Less than one-half of 1%.

TABLE 15. In your opinion, will the current emphasis on standardized tests encourage teachers to "teach to the tests," that is, concentrate on teaching their students to pass the tests rather than teaching the subject, or don't you think it will have this effect?
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
Will encourage teachers to teach to the test 67 58 66 64 57 64 74 60 68
Will not have this effect 26 33 30 28 32 32 20 35 27
Don't know 7 9 4 8 11 4 6 5 5

TABLE 16. (Asked of those who said yes.) If the current emphasis on results is encouraging teachers to teach to the tests, do you think this will be a good thing or a bad thing?
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
   '06
%
'05
%
'03
%
Good thing 22 39 39 20 36 38 25 45 40
Bad thing 75 54 60 77 55 61 72 51 58
Don't know 3 7 1 3 9 1 3 4 2

TABLE 17. Some states are requiring high school students to pass a graduate qualifying exam in order to graduate from high school. Would you favor or oppose having such a requirement for all the high schools in your community?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Favor having required exam 63 64 61
Oppose having required exam 36 35 38
Don't know 1 1 1

Findings. Since 2000, the percentage of respondents saying that there is too much emphasis on testing is up 9% to 39%. Overall, the numbers saying not enough and just about the right amount still make up a majority of 58% of respondents who support at least the current level of testing. That the public is not rejecting testing is also indicated by the fact that 63% favor requiring students to pass a qualifying exam in order to graduate from high school. Some of the move away from testing may be explained by the fact that the percentage saying the current emphasis on testing will mean "teaching to the test" is up by 9% in one year and now stands at 67%, while the percentage regarding this as a "bad thing" is up 21% to 75%.

Conclusion XII. There is still majority support for at least the current level of testing, although there has been a shift toward the belief that there is "too much testing."

Conclusion XIII. Large and growing numbers see the emphasis on testing translating into "teaching to the test," and those saying that doing so is a "bad thing" are nearing consensus.

Conclusion XIV. The support for using a graduate qualifying exam to determine whether a student receives a diploma is strong.

The Achievement Gap

The test referred to as the Nation's Report Card, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, shows blacks trailing whites in grade-8 reading by 30%, Hispanics trailing whites by 26%, and children from homes where students are eligible for free lunches trailing those whose lunches are not subsidized by 24%. The percentages are comparable for math. Five questions in this year's poll deal with this problem. The first three deal with the importance of closing the gap, the impact of high standards on the gap, and the responsibility for closing it. The final two deal with using preschool programs to try to close the gap and the funding for such programs.

TABLE 18. Black and Hispanic students generally score lower on standardized tests than white students. In your opinion, how important do you think it is to close this academic achievement gap between these groups of students?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'02
%
Very + somewhat important 88 90 88 94 89 89 89 93 85 89 89 96
Very important 67 63 64 80 68 63 65 80 63 62 63 80
Somewhat important 21 27 24 14 21 26 24 13 22 27 26 16
Not too important 5 3 5 2 4 2 4 2 7 5 3 2
Not at all important 5 5 5 3 4 6 5 4 6 4 7 1
Don't know 2 2 2 1 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 1

TABLE 19. Do you believe that the achievement gap can be narrowed substantially while maintaining high standards for all children or not?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
 '06
%
'05
%
Yes 81 81 82 83 78 78
No 17 15 15 13 20 19
Don't know 7 4 3 4 2 3

TABLE 20. In your opinion, is it the responsibility of the public schools to close the achievement gap between white students and black and Hispanic students or not?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'01
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'01
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'01
%
Yes, it is 57 58 56 55 60 58 55 56 49 56 56 53
No, it is not 39 37 40 41 36 36 39 39 46 42 41 45
Don't know 4 5 4 4 4 6 5 5 5 2 3 2

Findings. Eighty-eight percent of respondents say that closing the achievement gap is either very important or somewhat important, and 81% believe the goal can be accomplished while maintaining high standards for all students. Although only 19% of respondents say that the gap is related to the quality of schooling (Table 9), 57% say that it is the responsibility of the public schools to close the gap.

Conclusion XV. There is near consensus that closing the achievement gap is of great importance and that it is unnecessary to sacrifice high standards to do it.

Conclusion XVI. The public attributes the gap to factors other than the quality of schooling but still concludes that it is the responsibility of the schools to close it.

TABLE 21. Do you think that preschool programs for children from low-income and poverty-level households would help them perform better in school in their teenage years -- a great deal, quite a lot, not much, or not at all?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'92
%
 '06
%
'92
%
 '06
%
'92
%
Great deal 49 39 47 33 52 46
Quite a lot 32 35 36 38 25 31
Not much 13 16 11 16 17 16
Not at all 5 5 5 5 5 5
Don't know 1 5 1 8 1 2

TABLE 22. Would you be willing to pay more taxes for funding preschool programs for children from low-income or poverty-level households?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'92
%
 '06
%
'92
%
 '06
%
'92
%
Yes 66 49 71 46 58 54
No 33 42 28 43 41 40
Don't know 1 9 1 11 1 6

Findings. The 1992 question brought responses indicating that preschool programs for low-income children would help improve their school performance and that the public would be willing to pay more taxes to provide the programs. The responses in the current poll say the same, but the percentages have climbed. The percentage who say that such programs will help a great deal has gone from 39% to 49%, and the percentage who say a great deal or quite a lot has gone from 74% to 81%. The percentage of respondents willing to pay taxes to fund the programs has jumped dramatically, from 49% to 66%.

Conclusion XVII. The public belief that preschool programs for children from poverty-level homes will help them to perform better in school when they are teens is apparently so strong that the public expresses a willingness to pay higher taxes to support such programs.

Curriculum

The first curriculum question is a trend question asking if the curriculum needs to be changed to meet today's needs. The second asks whether the curriculum should include a broad variety of courses or fewer but more basic courses. The final two questions ask whether the public supports two growing practices: requiring all students to pursue a curriculum that prepares them to attend a four-year college and requiring four years of math for all students, beginning with algebra in the eighth or ninth grade.

TABLE 23. Do you think the school curriculum in your community needs to be changed to meet today's needs, or do you think it already meets today's needs?
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'82
%
'70
%
   '06
%
'82
%
'70
%
   '06
%
'82
%
'70
%
Needs to be changed 47 36 31 46 33 31 50 42 33
Already meets needs 44 42 46 43 38 36 48 50 59
Don't know 9 22 23 11 29 33 2 8 8

TABLE 24. Public high schools can offer students a wide variety of courses, or they can concentrate on fewer basic courses, such as English, mathematics, history, and science. Which of these two policies do you think the local high schools should follow in planning their curricula -- a wide variety of courses or fewer but more basic courses?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'01
%
'79
%
 '06
%
'01
%
'79
%
 '06
%
'01
%
'79
%
Wide variety of courses 58 54 44 56 50 44 63 64 44
Basic courses 41 44 49 44 48 47 35 35 53
Don't know 1 2 7 * 2 9 2 1 3
*Less than one-half of 1%.

 

  National Totals
  2006
%
2002
%
 2001
%
1993
%
1979
%
Wide variety of courses 58 57 54 48 44
Basic courses 41 41 44 51 49
Don't know 1 2 2 1 7

TABLE 25. Some high school districts are now requiring all high school graduates to complete a curriculum that prepares them to attend a four-year college whether or not they plan to attend college. Would you favor or oppose such a requirement for all of the students in the high schools in your community?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Favor 56 54 62
Oppose 42 45 37
Don't know 2 1 1

 

TABLE 26. Some high schools now require that all students complete four years of mathematics. This includes two years of algebra beginning with the eighth or ninth grade. Would you be in favor of or opposed to making this a requirement in the public schools in your community?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Favor 73 72 76
Oppose 26 27 23
Don't know 1 1 1

Findings:

• The 47% who say that the curriculum needs to be changed is a significant increase over the 31% who thought so in 1970.

• That a majority of 58% choose a curriculum with a wide variety of courses is a reversal from 1979, when a plurality of 49% opted for more basic courses.

• The public favors a college-preparatory curriculum for every student by a margin of 56% to 42%. The support for four years of mathematics with at least two years of algebra beginning in the eighth or ninth grade is even stronger.

Conclusion XVIII. The public is divided on the question of revising the curriculum to meet today's needs.

Conclusion XIX. There is majority support for a curriculum that includes a broad range of courses.

Conclusion XX. There is majority support for a college-preparatory program for all students.

Conclusion XXI. There is strong support for a curriculum that requires all students to take four years of math, with at least two years of algebra.

Teachers and Teaching

The anticipation of large numbers of retirements among teachers in the near future, combined with the tendency of new teachers to leave the profession after only a few years, has sparked fears of a teacher shortage. And this wave of retirements comes at a time when having highly qualified teachers in the classrooms is a top priority. The following question deals with why so many who become teachers leave the profession in a short time.

TABLE 27. During their first five years of employment, almost half of new public school teachers leave the profession. As I read off some possible reasons for this, would you tell me how important you think each reason is for leaving the teaching profession -- is it very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?
  How Important
 
Very +
Somewhat
%
Very
%
Somewhat
%
Not
Very
%
Not
at All
%
Don't
Know
%
Lack of parental support 96 79 17 2 2 *
Lack of administrative support 93 66 27 5 1 1
Working conditions in the public schools 92 65 27 6 1 1
Lack of respect for the teaching profession 89 68 21 9 2 *
Low teaching salaries 88 61 27 7 4 1
Lack of appropriate teacher training 84 58 26 10 4 2
*Less than one-half of 1%.

Findings. Lack of support from parents (96%), lack of support from administrators (93%), and working conditions in the public schools (92%) top the list of reasons why the public believes teachers leave the profession. However, the percentages for lack of respect for the teaching profession (89%), low teacher salaries (88%), and lack of appropriate teacher training (84%) are so close that it is reasonable to consider the six items as a package.

Conclusion XXII. The fact that the public assigns such high importance to each of the six reasons why teachers leave the profession in the first five years suggests that the initial step in attracting more high-quality teachers should be an effort to make the job more attractive to those who have already entered the profession.

Conclusion XXIII. Based on years of data from this poll, it would be a mistake to interpret the public's assessment as indicating dissatisfaction with the current teacher corps. On the contrary, whenever polled, the public expresses great confidence in our teachers.

Time in School

The questions regarding time spent in school were framed in the context of two opening questions asking the public's views on students' workloads. The remaining questions address the issue of time spent in school.

TABLE 28. In general, do you think elementary school children in the public schools here are made to work too hard in school or on homework or not hard enough?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Too hard 30 29 33
Not hard enough 57 58 54
Don't know 13 13 13

TABLE 29. What about students in the public high schools here -- in general, are they required to work too hard or not hard enough?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Too hard 15 14 18
Not hard enough 73 75 67
Don't know 12 11 15

Findings. Fifty-seven percent of respondents say elementary school children in the public schools do not work hard enough, while 73% say the same for high school students. Both are clear majorities.

Conclusion XXIV. The public does not believe that students in their local schools work hard enough in school or on homework outside of school.

TABLE 30. Some public schools in the nation have increased the amount of time students spend in school by extending the school year or the school day. Do you favor or oppose increasing the amount of time students spend in the public schools in your community?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'93
%
 '06
%
'93
%
 '06
%
'93
%
Favor 48 52 49 53 46 50
Oppose 49 47 48 45 53 49
Don't know 3 1 3 2 1 1

TABLE 31. (Asked of those who favor increasing time in schools.) Which plan would you prefer forincreasing the amount of time students spend in school -- increasing the school day or increasing the school year?
  National
Totals
%
No Children
In School
%
Public School
Parents
%
Increasing the school day 31 31 33
Increasing the school year 66 67 64
Don't know 3 2 3

TABLE 32. How do you feel about extending the school day in the public schools in this community by one hour?
  National
Totals
  No Children
In School
  Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'84
%
'82
%
   '06
%
'84
%
'82
%
   '06
%
'84
%
'82
%
Favor 67 42 37 67 42 38 68 41 36
Oppose 31 52 55 31 51 52 29 56 61
Don't know 2 6 8 2 7 10 3 3 3

Findings. The public is evenly divided over whether to extend the time students spend in school, with 48% in favor and 49% opposed. But among those who favor extending time in school, the strong preference is for extending the school year (66% favor extending the year; 31% favor extending the day). In a question asked of the entire group, 67% favored extending the school day by one hour. This figure compares to 42% in 1984 and 37% in 1982.

Conclusion XXV. The public is divided on the matter of extending the time spent in school.

Conclusion XXVI. Extending the school day by one hour draws impressive support, although one must wonder if it is based on the need for more schooling or the desire to have kids supervised for an additional hour.

NCLB Questions

This poll began to track NCLB in 2003, one year after the law was signed. Twelve questions in this year's poll are focused on this topic. The first two are benchmark questions exploring how much the public knows about NCLB and, based on what it knows, whether it views the law favorably or unfavorably. The third question is a new one asking respondents to say whether NCLB is helping or hurting schools in the community. The next eight deal with the strategies used in implementing NCLB, and the final question asks how the public will react if a large number of schools fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In addition to our usual categories of respondents, we have separated out the responses of those who say they know a great deal or fair amount about the law. This self-identified group consists of 504 respondents.

Benchmarks

TABLE 33. Now, here are a few questions about the No Child Left Behind Act. How much, if anything, would you say you know about the No Child Left Behind Act -- the federal education bill that was passed by Congress in 2001 -- a great deal, a fair amount, very little, or nothing at all?
  National
Totals
No Children
In School
Public School
Parents
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
 '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
Great deal + fair amount 45 40 31 24 42 39 28 25 49 45 37 22
A great deal 8 8 7 6 6 8 6 5 11 10 8 7
A fair amount 37 32 24 18 36 31 22 20 38 35 29 15
Very little 40 43 40 40 41 44 41 37 37 40 38 44
Nothing at all 15 16 28 36 17 16 30 38 13 14 24 34
Don't know * 1 1 * * 1 1 * 1 1 1 *
Very little + nothing at all 55 59 68 76 58 60 71 75 50 54 62 78
* Less than one-half of 1%.

TABLE 34. From what you know or have heard or read about the No Child Left Behind Act, do you have a very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion of the act -- or don't you know enough about it to say?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
  '06
%
Very + somewhat favorable 32 28 24 18   42
Very favorable 9 7 7 5   12
Somewhat favorable 23 21 17 13   30
Somewhat unfavorable 18 15 12 7   24
Very unfavorable 13 12 8 6   23
Don't know enough to say 37 45 55 69   10
Don't know * * 1 *   1
Somewhat unfavorable + very unfavorable 31 27 20 13   47
* Less than one-half of 1%.

TABLE 35. Just your impression, how would you rate the overall impact of the No Child Left Behind program on the public schools in your community? Would you say it was helping, hurting, or making no difference in the performance of the local public schools?
  National
Totals
%

Know a
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
%

Helping 26 29
Hurting 21 31
Making no difference 37 37
Don't know 16 3

Findings:

• The proportion of respondents who say that they know a great deal or a fair amount about NCLB has now reached 45%, while the number saying they have very little or no knowledge has dropped each year and now stands at 55%.

• As people are gaining knowledge of the law, the percentage saying they do not know enough to express an opinion about NCLB has dropped from 69% in 2003 to 37%.

• As more people have become willing to express an opinion, the 18% expressing a favorable view in 2003 and the 13% expressing an unfavorable view have both risen to nearly one-third. For those professing knowledge of NCLB, 42% have a favorable opinion; 47% an unfavorable opinion.

• Perhaps the most significant finding is that 37% say NCLB has made no difference in the performance of schools in the community. Twenty-one percent say the law has hurt schools, and 26% say it has helped.

Conclusion XXVII. Almost half of the respondents believe they are knowledgeable about NCLB, while just over half believe they know little or nothing about the law.Those who believe they know enough to express an opinion are also divided between viewing the law favorably and unfavorably.

Conclusion XXVIII. That seven out of 10 of those professing knowledge of NCLB believe it is either making no difference in the local schools or hurting them is troubling. Because the effort to comply with NCLB is driving instruction in most schools and dominating efforts to improve achievement, the concerns of such a large proportion of the public need to be addressed.

Strategies Used in NCLB

TABLE 36. According to the NCLB Act, determining whether a public school is or is not in need of improvement will be based on the performance of its students on a single statewide test. In your opinion, will a single test provide a fair picture of whether or not a school needs improvement?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
  '06
%
Yes, would 28 29 31 32   26
No, would not 69 68 67 66   72
Don't know 3 3 2 2   2

TABLE 37. According to the NCLB Act, the statewide tests of student performance will be devoted to English and math only. Do you think a test covering only English and math would provide a fair picture of whether a public school is or is not in need of improvement, or should the test be based on other subjects also?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
  '06
%
Yes, would provide fair picture 18 17 16 15   20
No, test should be based on other subjects also 81 80 83 83   79
Don't know 1 3 1 2   1

TABLE 38. How much, if at all, are you concerned that relying on testing for English and math only to judge a school's performance will mean less emphasis on art, music, history, and other subjects?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
  '06
%
A great deal + a fair amount 78 82 81 80   82
A great deal 35 39 37 40   42
A fair amount 43 43 44 40   40
Not much 16 12 13 14   13
Not at all 5 5 4 6   5
Don't know 1 1 2 *   *
* Less than one-half of 1%.

 

 

TABLE 39. Assume you had a child attending a school identified as in need of improvement by the NCLB Act. Which would you prefer, to transfer your child to a school identified as NOT in need of improvement or to have additional efforts made in your child's present school to help him or her achieve?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
'03
%
  '06
%
To transfer child to school identified as not in need of improvement 17 16 16 25   20
To have additional efforts made in child's present school 80 79 80 74   78
Don't know 3 5 4 1   2

TABLE 40. The No Child Left Behind Act requires that test scores be reported separately by students' race and ethnicity, disability status, English-speaking ability, and poverty level. Do you favor or oppose reporting test scores in this way in your community?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
  '06
%
Favor 43 44 42   44
Oppose 54 48 52   55
Don't know 3 8 6   1

TABLE 41. In your opinion, should the standardized test scores of special education students be included with the test scores of all other students in determining whether a school is in need of improvement under the NCLB Act or not?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
'04
%
  '06
%
Yes, should 33 34 39   29
No, should not 62 62 57   68
Don't know 5 4 4   3

TABLE 42. In your opinion, should students enrolled in special education in a public school be required to meet the same academic standards as all other students in that school?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
  '06
%
Yes, should 21 28   18
No, should not 75 68   79
Don't know 4 4   3

TABLE 43. One way to measure a school's performance is to look at the percentage of students passing the test mandated by the state at the end of the school year. Another way is to measure the improvement students in the school make during the year. In your opinion, which is the best way to measure the school's performance -- the percentage passing the test or the improvement shown by the students?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
  '06
%
Percentage passing the test 17 13   18
Improvement shown by students 81 85   80
Don't know 2 2   2

Findings:

• Two out of three respondents (69%) this year and a similar proportion in 2005 say that the use of a single state test as NCLB requires cannot provide a fair picture of whether or not a school needs improvement.

• NCLB bases performance on testing in English/language arts and math only. Four out of five respondents (81%) say that this will not give a fair picture of a school and that other subjects should be included.

• Nearly four out of five respondents (78%) say they are concerned that the focus on English/language arts and math will mean less emphasis on art, music, history, and other subjects. This is down 4% since 2005.

• Four out of five respondents (80%) prefer offering help to students in schools in need of improvement. Only 17% prefer transferring those students to a different school.

• NCLB requires that test scores be broken out by race and ethnicity, English-speaking ability, and poverty level. A majority of respondents (54%) oppose this strategy, up 6% from 2005.

• The test scores of special education students are included in determining whether a school is in need of improvement. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (62%) say the scores of special education students should not be included. This percentage is unchanged since 2005.

• NCLB requires that nearly all special education students be tested against grade-level standards. Three-fourths of respondents (75%) believe these students should not be tested against the same standards as other students. This figure is up 7% since 2005.

• Four-fifths of respondents (81%) say the proper measure of performance is the improvement made by students during the school year. This figure is down 4% from last year.

• The half of the respondents who claim to know a great deal or fair amount about NCLB disagree with the strategies of the law with percentages slightly higher than those of the total group.

Conclusion XXIX. A public that rejects the strategies used to implement NCLB is unlikely to provide the support needed if the law is to work. Common sense would call for changes to align NCLB more closely with the public's views.

Conclusion XXX. Given that half of the public still considers itself uninformed on NCLB and one-third are unwilling to express an opinion, there is still time to make the changes that might bring support for the law.

Conclusion XXXI. The responses of those who claim knowledge of the law bear out this poll's 2003 conclusion that greater familiarity with NCLB was unlikely to increase public support.

Public's View of Failures

TABLE 44. Let's say that large numbers of public schools fail to meet the requirements established by the NCLB law. In your opinion, which would be more to blame for this -- the public schools themselves or the NCLB law?
  National
Totals
  Know
Great Deal/
Fair Amount
  '06
%
'05
%
  '06
%
The public schools 48 45   46
The law itself 41 43   48
Don't know 11 12   6

Findings. Nearly half of respondents (48%) say they would fault the public schools for large numbers of failing schools, but a substantial fraction (41%) say they would blame the failings on the law. Among those claiming knowledge of NCLB, 48% would blame the law and 46% the schools.

Conclusion XXXII. Public uncertainty about NCLB and, in particular, its strategies, has created a situation in which those who blame the schools for failing to make AYP hold only a small margin over those who would blame the law. Among those professing knowledge of the law, the assignment of blame is still more evenly split.


Closing Statement

This annual experience with the PDK/Gallup Poll reminds me once again how impressed I am at the public's ability to sort through the information and misinformation and emerge with an accurate assessment of our public schools. My conclusion is that the public makes its decisions about the public schools based on those it knows best, its local schools. People out there in the communities like their schools. They hear the criticism leveled at public schools in general but are unaffected because those are someone else's schools. They care in the abstract, but it is their local schools that draw their interest and can evoke their support. In closing, and at the risk of hearing that I always say so, I believe this year's poll may be the best yet in terms of overall content and cutting-edge significance. Policy makers at all levels would be well advised to study the data, if not the words interpreting the data, to see where the public stands. Public opinion as expressed in polls should never be allowed to shape policy. It can, however, inform policy decisions, identify possible pitfalls, and point to strategies that would be likely to have public support. This poll is timely for those purposes.

Research Procedure

The Sample. The sample used in this survey embraced a total of 1,007 adults (18 years of age and older). A description of the sample and methodology can be found at the end of this report.

Time of Interviewing. The fieldwork for this study was conducted during the period of 11 June through 5 July 2006. Due allowance must be made for statistical variation, especially in the case of findings for groups consisting of relatively few respondents.

The findings of this report apply only to the U.S. as a whole and not to individual communities. Local surveys, using the same questions, can be conducted to determine how local areas compare with the national norm.

Sampling Tolerances

In interpreting survey results, it should be borne in mind that all sample surveys are subject to sampling error, i.e., the extent to which the results may differ from what would be obtained if the whole population surveyed had been interviewed. The size of such sampling error depends largely on the number of interviews. For details and tables showing the confidence intervals for the data cited in this poll, please visit the Phi Delta Kappa website at http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kpollsample.htm.

Design of the Sample

For the 2006 survey, the Gallup Organization used its standard national telephone sample, i.e., an unclustered, directory-assisted, random-digit telephone sample, based on a proportionate stratified sampling design.

The random-digit aspect of the sample was used to avoid "listing" bias. Numerous studies have shown that households with unlisted telephone numbers are different in important ways from listed households. "Unlistedness" is due to household mobility or to customer requests to prevent publication of the telephone number.

To avoid this source of bias, a random-digit procedure designed to provide representation of both listed and unlisted (including not-yet-listed) numbers was used.

Telephone numbers for the continental United States were stratified into four regions of the country and, within each region, further stratified into three size-of-community strata.

Only working banks of telephone numbers were selected. Eliminating non-working banks from the sample increased the likelihood that any sample telephone number would be associated with a residence.

The sample of telephone numbers produced by the described method is representative of all telephone households within the continental United States.

Within each contacted household, an interview was sought with the household member who had the most recent birthday. This frequently used method of respondent selection provides an excellent approximation of statistical randomness in that it gives all members of the household an opportunity to be selected.

Up to three calls were made to each selected telephone number to complete an interview. The time of day and the day of the week for callbacks were varied so as to maximize the chances of finding a respondent at home. All interviews were conducted on weekends or weekday evenings in order to contact potential respondents among the working population.

The final sample was weighted so that the distribution of the sample matched current estimates derived from the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS) for the adult population living in telephone households in the continental U.S.

 

Composition of the Sample

Adults
%
  Income
%
  No children in school
Public school parents
Nonpublic school parents
68
28
4
 

$50,000 and over
$40,000 and over
$30,000-$39,999
$20,000-$29,999
Under $20,000
Undesignated

43
54
11
10
16
9
Gender
%
Region
%
  Men
Women
45
55
  East
Midwest
South
West

23
23
32
22

Race
%
Community Size
%
 

White
Nonwhite
Black

83
14
10

  Urban
Suburban
Rural

26
48
26

Age
%
 

18-29 years
30-49 years
50 and over
Undesignated

18
37
44
1
Education
%
 

Total college
  College graduate
  College incomplete
Total high school
  High school graduate
  High school incomplete

61
27
34
39
33
6

How to Order the Poll

The minimum order for reprints of the published version of the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup education poll is 25 copies for $15. (Institutional purchase orders, cash, or MasterCard or VISA number required.) Additional copies are 50 cents each. This price includes postage for delivery (at the library rate). Where possible, enclose a check or money order. Address your order to Phi Delta Kappa International, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-0789. Ph. 800/766-1156.

If faster delivery is desired, phone the Shipping Department at the number listed below. Persons who wish to order the 229-page document that is the basis of this report should contact Phi Delta Kappa International, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-0789. Ph. 800/766-1156. The price is $95, postage included.

Conducting Your Own Poll

Phi Delta Kappa International makes available PACE (Polling Attitudes of the Community on Education) materials to enable nonspecialists to conduct scientific polls of attitudes and opinions on education. The PACE manual provides detailed information on constructing questionnaires, sampling, interviewing, and analyzing data. It also includes updated census figures and new material on conducting a telephone survey. The price is $60. For information about using PACE materials, write or phone David Ruetschlin at Phi Delta Kappa International, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-0789. Ph. 800/766-1156.

 


COMMENTARY: A Strong Message

This year's PDK/Gallup poll delivers a strong message about the importance of local communities and local governance. We continue to see that the closer the public is to its schools, the higher it rates them. Interestingly, we see that a majority of the public prefers that local school boards have the greatest influence over what is taught in the public schools. School boards need to set high academic goals for local schools that reflect state and national standards and that incorporate the needs and desires of their local communities.

Further, this year's poll shows the public's distaste for mayoral interference, as nearly 70% of respondents oppose having a mayor take over the public schools even as part of an effort to turn around low-performing schools. This public sentiment aligns beautifully with a recent policy adopted by the NSBA governing body that strongly opposes mayoral takeovers. Instead, mayors should work on other factors that affect academics, such as crime, housing costs, and health care.

The public continues to see funding as the biggest problem for public schools, and funding remains a concern for all of us as Congress backs away from its promise to fully fund programs that can make a difference for children who desperately need help. -- Anne L. Bryant, executive director, National School Boards Association, Alexandria, Va.


COMMENTARY: Support for Local Schools Still Strong

Thomas Jefferson had a vision that democracy would survive only "with the general diffusion of knowledge." It is reassuring to know that the public still supports our public schools: 49% give the schools in their community a grade of A or B. Parents of children who attend public schools are even more supportive: 64% give the school their oldest child attends a grade of A or B. Concurrently, support for vouchers has declined.

Our schools reflect conditions in the general society, say 70% of the poll respondents. Only 22% attribute the problems facing public education to the performance of schools rather than to societal problems. Further, a majority of respondents favor decision making at the local level. There seems to be little understanding of or support for No Child Left Behind.

The democratic ideal of equal opportunity is also supported by poll results. The public believes that the achievement gap between whites and minorities can and should be narrowed and that it should be done by schools. The public also supports adequate funding and school-based reform of public education.

Despite extensive criticism of public schools in general, support for public education at the local level continues to remain strong. Jefferson would be pleased to know these poll results. So is the Public Education Support Group. -- M. Donald Thomas, executive director, Public Education Support Group, Salt Lake City, Utah, mariothomas1@yahoo.com


COMMENTARY: Americans Want Something Different

Peeking through the pro-establishment phrasing of these survey questions are millions of Americans who want something very different from what the current public school system is delivering. Not just higher standards, more course requirements, and testing as a precondition for graduation, but also lots more options. More than half of those surveyed favor charter schools, for example, and nearly two in five endorse vouchers (despite a hostile question about them). One in four would welcome an "alternative to the existing public school system." And all of this despite the fact that about one-third of U.S. school kids already attend something other than their district-operated neighborhood schools and the families of many millions more exercised choice by moving into their neighborhood on account of its schools.

Sure, these data also reveal lots of complacent folks -- perhaps unaware that their kids' jobs could be outsourced to Bangalore or Beijing -- and plenty who have been swayed by constructivist slogans (e.g., "teaching to the test" is evil). But anybody who spins these survey results as showing a nation that's content with its present education arrangements is guilty of self-deception. -- Chester E. Finn, Jr., senior fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and president, Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, Washington, D.C.


LOWELL C. ROSE is executive director emeritus of Phi Delta Kappa International. ALEC M. GALLUP is co-chairman, with George Gallup, Jr., of the Gallup Organization, Princeton, N.J.