Americans are widely supportive of public schools and their teachers

New poll put out by Harstad Strategic Research, Inc of Boulder, Colorado provides insight into how the American public views schools and our educational system. Results appear to be quite similar to that reported by the PDK/GALLUP Poll. This series will feature a single poll item and commentary.

Support for Public Schools and Their Teachers?

“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.”

Despite the national multi-million dollar public relations campaigns working to convince Americans that their public schools are failing, Americans remain stoutly supportive of their local schools.

http://www.democratsforpubliceducation.com/news/dems-public-ed-releases-poll-showing-overwhelming-support-public-schools/