FINANCING THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The 29th Annual
Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll
Of the Public's Attitudes
Toward the Public Schools
Illustration by Fred Bell
FINANCING THE |
The 29th Annual Illustration by Fred Bell |
|
From time to time, the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup polls have surveyed public attitudes regarding school finance. The first question on that topic this year repeated one asked in 1986 concerning the source of taxes used to finance the public schools. In findings remarkably similar to those in the 1986 poll, 27% expressed a preference for local property taxes, 34% for state taxes, and 30% for taxes from the federal government. There is certainly no consensus. The two groups that do take a majority position in favor of federal funding are blacks (56%) and nonwhites (54%).
In a second question respondents were reminded that the local property tax is the main source for financing the public schools and were asked whether they would prefer to change to a local income tax system as the principal source of public school funds in their community. Once again, there is no consensus: 43% favor changing to a local income tax system, while 48% oppose it. This lack of consensus characterizes all groups surveyed.
The first question:
There is always a lot of discussion about the best way to finance the public schools. Which do you think is the best way to finance the public schools -- by means of local property taxes, by state taxes, or by taxes from the federal government in Washington?
National Totals |
No Children in School |
Public School Parents |
Nonpublic School Parents | |||||
'97 |
'86 |
'97 |
'86 |
'97 |
'86 |
'97 |
'86 | |
| Local property taxes | 27 |
24 |
30 |
22 |
22 |
28 |
32 |
22 |
| State taxes | 34 |
33 |
35 |
34 |
32 |
32 |
28 |
36 |
| Federal taxes | 30 |
24 |
26 |
23 |
37 |
28 |
36 |
22 |
| Don't know | 9 |
19 |
9 |
21 |
9 |
12 |
4 |
20 |
The second question:
At the present time, local property taxes are the main source for financing the public schools in most states. Thinking about your own community, would you favor or oppose changing the local property tax system to a local income tax system as the principal way to finance the local public schools?
National Totals |
No Children in School |
Public School Parents |
Nonpublic School Parents | |
| Favor | 43 |
42 |
47 |
39 |
| Oppose | 48 |
49 |
44 |
51 |
| Don't know | 9 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
| *Less than one-half of 1%. | ||||
Last updated: 25 August 1997
URL: http://www.pdkintl.org/kpoll97i.htm
Contact: bucheri@pdkintl.org
Copyright 1997 Phi Delta
Kappan