‘Dems for Public Ed’ Releases Poll Showing Overwhelming Support for Public Schools
Those Slamming Public Ed Out-Of-Step With Parents & Voters
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, Democrats For Public Education (DPE) released the results of a national voter survey recently commissioned on public schools and public education. Conducted by Harstad Strategic Research – a Colorado-based firm which worked on President Barack Obama’s 2008 election and 2012 re-election – this poll shows how voters back public education in large numbers.
Roughly 2/3 of Americans agree with traditionally Democratic positions when it comes to education – especially when it comes to overwhelming support for neighborhood schools and teachers. Overall, 82% of those voters able to rate their local teachers believe them to be excellent, very good, or good. Moreover, solid majorities (61%) back more funding for public schools – including 79% of Democrats, 57% of Independents, and even 45% of Republicans.
The survey validates that those who castigate public schools and teachers are simply out-of-step and out-of-touch with the American people, parents and voters. It’s also troubling that teachers are being laid off and public school funding is being slashed, while additional tax breaks are handed out to corporations and the uber-wealthy. Respondents believe that precious taxpayer dollars should go toward funding education, rather than corporate profits, CEOs or advertising budgets.
“Schools should be about learning, not profit,” said DPE Co-Chair Ted Strickland, former Governor of Ohio. “This poll backs up that we must support our neighborhood public schools. That means backing up teachers and listening to the parents and educators who know what’s best for kids in the classroom. It means bringing forth engaging curriculum that focuses on critical-thinking and problem-solving, rather than this obsession with standardized testing and educators being forced to teach to the test.”
“These poll results clearly show that, contrary to what some naysayers push, the American people are proud of their public schools. And they’re proud of public school teachers,” said DPE Co-Chair Denise Juneau, Montana State Superintendent. “As Democrats For Public Education, we believe we should be lifting up and championing both – by investing time, energy and resources.”
“I’ve seen an awful lot of polling through the years, and any politician or elected official would love to have the favorability ratings enjoyed by local public schools and teachers in this survey,” said DPE President Steve Rosenthal. “The facts are on our side, and we are beyond pleased with these findings. This information could – and should – be used as a roadmap for those who want to speak out loud and clear in support of neighborhood schools and public education.”
Launched just last month, DPE is a 527 formed to show that Democrats remain united around a core set of principles to ensure public education thrives for generations to come. Already, elected officials, party leaders and activists at all levels of government and from communities in 43 states have signed up as supporters at www.DemocratsForPublicEducation.com.
Below please find a memo detailing core results from the national telephone survey. Over 1200 individuals were polled from September 11th-16th.
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To: Interested Democratic Candidates and Elected Officials
From: Paul HarstadDate: September 22, 2014Re: Findings and Talking Points from a National Voter Survey on Public Schools
From: Paul HarstadDate: September 22, 2014Re: Findings and Talking Points from a National Voter Survey on Public Schools
Harstad Strategic Research conducted a national telephone survey among 1202 active voters on behalf of Democrats for Public Education from September 11 to 16, 2014. The survey focused upon a series of education issues. Set forth below are the key survey findings and recommended talking points on various education issues.
1. Americans are widely supportive of public schools and their teachers.
Solid majorities back more funding for public schools and teacher pay, and overwhelming majorities rate local public schools and their teachers highly.
- A 61% majority of voters believe that state funding for public schools should be increased – including 79% of Democrats, 57% of Independents and even 45% of Republicans.
- And 56% of voters with an opinion believe pay for public school teachers falls short of what it should be.
- Fully 82% of voters able to rate their local public school teachers rate them as excellent, very good, or good – versus just 8% who rate them as marginal or poor. Among public school parents, 93% rate public school teachers as excellent, very good, or good.
- Speaking of public school parents, 84% give their children’s schools an A (53%) or B (31%) grade. Ten percent offer a C, and 3% say D or F. While there is certainly room for improvement, the median grade would in effect be an A-minus.
2. Teachers are not seen as the problem.
When given four broad reasons for why public schools might not be performing better, 'Dems for Public Ed' Releases Poll Showing Overwhelming Support for Public Schools - Democrats For Public Education:
