The 30th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools |
PROBLEMS FACING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Each of the previous Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup polls has given respondents an open-ended opportunity to identify the biggest problems with which the public schools in their communities must deal. This year poll planners decided to supplement that question with one in which seven problems frequently identified were given to respondents, who were then asked to indicate how serious they feel each of these problems is in the local schools. And, finally, given the recent reported cases of violence in schools, respondents were asked if they believe their child is safe at school and safe when playing in the neighborhood.
Biggest Problems Facing Local Schools
Concern about fighting/violence/gangs (mentioned by 15%) replaces lack of discipline/more control and lack of financial support/funding/money at the top of the list of biggest problems mentioned by those responding to this year's poll. Lack of discipline is mentioned by 14% of this year's respondents, lack of financial support is mentioned by 12%, and use of drugs is mentioned by 10%. These are the only problems in the poll to reach double-digit figures. Nonwhites also place fighting/violence/gangs at the top of the list, with 23% identifying it as the biggest problem.
| National Totals |
No Children In School |
Public School Parents |
Nonpublic School Parents | |||||
| '98 | '97 | '98 | '97 | '98 | '97 | '98 | '97 | |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| Fighting/violence/gangs | 15 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 16 |
| Lack of discipline/more control | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 29 | 22 |
| Lack of financial support/funding/money | 12 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 4 |
| Use of drugs/dope | 10 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 8 | 9 |
| Overcrowded schools | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 17 |
| Concern about standards/quality of education | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Difficulty getting good teachers/quality teachers | 5 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | * | * |
| Pupils' lack of interest/attitudes/truancy | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 3 |
| None | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7 | * |
| Don't know | 16 | 10 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| *Less than one-half of 1%. | ||||||||
Seriousness of Selected Problems
In this question, respondents were given seven problems and asked to indicate how serious each is in the local public schools. In reporting the ratings, the very serious and fairly serious categories are combined. Drugs top the list, with 80% of respondents rating that problem either very serious or fairly serious. Discipline and smoking tie for second at 76%, followed by alcohol (72%), teenage pregnancy (71%), fighting (64%), and gangs (57%). Considering the combined percentages, responses are reasonably consistent across groups.
The question:
How serious a problem would you say each of the following is in the public schools in your community? Would you say a very serious problem, fairly serious, not very serious, or not at all serious?
| Very and Fairly Serious Combined | Very Serious | Fairly Serious | Not Very Serious | Not At All Serious |
Don't Know | |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| Drugs | 80 | 52 | 28 | 13 | 3 | 4 |
| Discipline | 76 | 50 | 26 | 17 | 3 | 4 |
| Smoking | 76 | 50 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 6 |
| Alcohol | 72 | 44 | 28 | 18 | 4 | 6 |
| Teenage pregnancy | 71 | 43 | 28 | 19 | 4 | 6 |
| Fighting | 64 | 37 | 27 | 26 | 5 | 5 |
| Gangs | 57 | 37 | 20 | 28 | 11 | 4 |
Safety at School and in the Neighborhood
The recent reports of violence in schools across the country have raised questions as to how safe children are when they are at school. It seemed a good time to repeat two questions first asked in 1977, one dealing with safety while at school and the other with safety when outside playing in the neighborhood. Sixty-three percent of public school parents do not fear for their child's safety when he or she is at school. This percentage is down from 69% in 1977, while the percentage who do fear for their child's safety is up from 25% to 36%. These percentages do not vary greatly across groups. Sixty-eight percent say they do not fear for their child's safety when outside at play in the neighborhood. Thirty-one percent indicate that they do. These percentages are relatively unchanged since 1977.
The first question:
Thinking about your oldest child, when he or she is at school, do you fear for his or her physical safety?
| Public School Parents | ||
| '98 | '77 | |
| % | % | |
| Yes | 36 | 25 |
| No | 63 | 69 |
| Don't know | 1 | 6 |
The second question:
When your oldest child is outside at play in your own neighborhood, do you fear for his or her physical safety?
| Public School Parents | ||
| '98 | '77 | |
| % | % | |
| Yes | 31 | 28 |
| No | 68 | 68 |
| Don't know | 1 | 4 |
TOPICS:
Introduction to the Poll
Public Versus Nonpublic Schools
Grading the Schools
Effectiveness of Public Schools
Improving the Nation's Inner-City Schools
Politics and the Public Schools
Problems Facing the Public Schools
School Operation/Curriculum
Impact of Unions
The Public's Knowledge of Local Schools
Confidence in Institutions
Closing Comments
How to Order the Poll
Research Procedure
Sampling Tolerances
Design and Composition of the Sample
Conducting Your Own Poll
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