Public Opinions About Education

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Chapter 10
Public Opinions About Education

Every year Phi Delta Kappa, the professional education fraternity, publishes a survey of the American public on education issues. This annual examination is considered one of the best measurements of current American attitudes toward education. Except where otherwise noted, the information in this chapter comes from "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes toward the Public Schools" (Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004).

Keep in mind that these are surveys of people's opinions and feelings about public education, which may or may not coincide with facts about the nation's schools. Instead, the survey results illustrate trends in current American thought on educational subjects.

BIGGEST PROBLEMS FACING LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Since Phi Delta Kappa began surveying the public's opinions about education in 1969, discipline has been at or near the top of the list of concerns. According to the U.S. Department of Education, based on data from Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup, between 1969 and 1985 (with the exception of 1971, when the top issue was finances), discipline was the most frequently mentioned problem. Drug abuse by students replaced discipline as the top concern from 1986 through 1991, and in 1992 drugs tied with lack of proper financial support, at 22% each. In 1993 lack of proper financial support was clearly the number-one concern, with 21% mentioning it as the biggest concern for public schools in their communities. In 1994 lack of discipline tied with fighting/violence/gangs, and in 1995 lack of discipline was back on top. Drug abuse edged out discipline as the top concern of 1996. In 1998 and 1999 lack of discipline, violence in schools, and lack of financial support were the top three concerns. In 2000 the public identified two problems as top concerns: lack of financial support and lack of discipline. The same two concerns topped the poll in 2001 as well. Fighting/violence/gangs and overcrowded schools tied for second place in 2001. (See Table 10.1.) Figure 10.1 shows trends in the public's attitudes about specific problems in schools from 1980 to 2003.

In 2002 lack of financial support topped the list of the public's concerns, with lack of discipline and over-crowding tied for second place. The top two concerns in 2003 were lack of financial support and lack of discipline, with overcrowding coming in third. Again in 2004 lack of financial support was cited most often as the biggest problem facing public schools, with lack of discipline, and overcrowding tied for second place. (See Table 10.2.)

GRADING THE SCHOOLS

Every year the Phi Delta Kappa survey asks respondents to grade the public schools on the same scale used to grade students. In general, the survey has found for many years that the respondents' ties to local schools influence the way they rank them. For example, people generally give their children's schools a higher grade than the schools in the community as a whole, and local community schools are generally given higher grades than is the nation's school system as a whole. (See Table 10.3.)

Overall, the 2004 survey found that almost half (47%) of those surveyed believed the schools in their communities deserved an A or B grade. (See Table 10.4.) Most (61%) public school parents awarded an A or B grade to the public schools in their community. When asked to grade the school attended by their own oldest children, a majority (70%) of public school parents awarded an A or a B. (See Table 10.5.)

TABLE 10.1
Items most frequently cited by the general public as a major problem facing local public schools, selected years 1970–2003
ProblemPercent
1970197519801985198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003
1234567891011121314151617181920
—Not available.
Note: Respondents were permitted to select multiple or no major problems.
Source: Thomas D. Snyder, Alexandra G. Tan, and Charlene M. Hoffman, "Table 23. Items Most Frequently Cited by the General Public as a Major Problem Facing the Local Public Schools: Selected Years, 1970 to 2003," in Digest of Education Statistics, 2003, NCES 2005-025, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington, DC, December 2004, http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d03/tables/dt023.asp (accessed July 26, 2005)
Lack of discipline18232625191920171518151515141815151716
Lack of financial support171410913131822211311131512918152325
Fighting/violence/gangs91318914121511111094
Use of drugs11914183438222216117161410899139
Standards/quality of education8486254
Large schools/overcrowding10758799873888812101714
Lack of respect332222
Lack of family structure/problems of home life534
Crime/vandalism423255
Getting good teachers12116107711553233544685
Parents' lack of interest32636475432244
Poor curriculum/standards651111881099323122
Pupils' lack of interest/truancy35536534325652
Integration/segregation/racial discrimination171510445544322
Management of funds/programs2
Moral standards23334322
Low teacher pay2464332244
Teachers' lack of interest644422
Drinking/alcoholism234422
Lack of proper facilities1132112

Respondents graded the American public school system as a whole much more harshly. Only 26% felt the nation's public schools, overall, deserved A or B grades, while 58% assigned grades of C or D. (See Table 10.6.)

SCHOOL REFORMS

Respondents were asked whether they preferred reforming the existing public schools or finding an alternative to the system. In 2004 nearly two-thirds (66%) said they favored reforming the existing system, while 26% preferred finding an alternative. (See Table 10.7.)

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents favored increasing the mandatory attendance age to eighteen as a way to deal with the school dropout problem (see Table 10.8), and nearly three-quarters opposed eliminating the senior year of high school so that students could get an earlier start on going to college or entering the workforce. (See Table 10.9.)

In 2004 nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents believed that it is not possible to accurately judge a student's proficiency in English and math on the basis of a single test. (See Table 10.10.) When respondents were asked whether they were concerned that relying on testing for English and math only to judge a school's performance would mean less emphasis on art, music, history, and other subjects, the majority (81%) responded that they were concerned a great deal or a fair amount. (See Table 10.11.)

TABLE 10.2
Public opinion on school problems, 2004
what do you think are the biggest problems the public schools of your community must deal with?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'02'04'03'02'04'03'02
%%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 4. What do you think are the biggest problems the public schools of your community must deal with?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Lack of financial support/funding/money212523222623202423
Lack of discipline, more control10161710171881313
Overcrowded schools10141791214131623
Use of drugs/dope7913710147711
Fighting/violence/gangs649639659
TABLE 10.3
Average grade public would give public schools in their community and in the nation at large, 1974–2003
YearAll adultsNo children in schoolPublic school parentsPrivate school parents
NationLocal communityNationLocal communityNationLocal communityNationLocal community
123456789
—Not available.
Note: Average based on a scale where A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, and F = 0.
Source: Thomas D. Snyder, Alexandra G. Tan, and Charlene M. Hoffman, "Table 22. Average Grade That the Public Would Give the Public Schools in Their Community and in the Nation at Large: 1974 to 2003," in Digest of Education Statistics, 2003, NCES 2005-025, U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington, DC, December 2004, http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d03/tables/dt022.asp (accessed July 26, 2005)
19742.632.572.802.15
19752.382.312.491.81
19762.382.342.482.22
19772.332.252.592.05
19782.212.112.471.69
19792.212.152.381.88
19802.26
19811.942.202.122.361.88
19822.012.242.042.182.012.352.022.20
19831.912.121.922.101.922.311.821.89
19842.092.362.112.302.112.492.042.17
19852.142.392.162.362.202.441.932.00
19862.132.362.292.552.14
19872.182.442.202.382.222.612.032.01
19882.082.352.022.322.132.482.002.13
19892.012.351.992.272.062.561.932.12
19901.992.291.982.272.032.441.852.09
19912.002.36
19921.932.301.921.942.731.85
19931.952.411.972.401.972.481.802.11
19941.952.261.952.161.902.551.861.90
19951.972.281.982.251.932.411.811.85
19961.932.301.912.222.002.561.801.86
19971.972.351.992.272.012.561.991.87
19981.932.411.922.361.962.511.812.20
19992.022.442.032.421.972.56
20001.982.471.942.442.052.59
20012.012.472.002.422.042.66
20022.082.442.082.402.062.61
20032.112.412.092.322.162.57

Respondents were asked whether they thought an increased emphasis on English, math, and science at all grade levels would serve all, most, some, or only a few public school students in the community. The responses were about evenly divided between all, most, and some, with 29% believing that the increased emphasis would serve all students, 32% believing that the increased emphasis would serve most students, and 28% believing that the increased emphasis would serve some students. Only 9% of the public believed that the increased emphasis on English, math, and science at all grade levels would serve only a few students. (See Table 10.12.)

TABLE 10.4
Public opinion on grading the schools in their community, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'04'03'04'03
%%%%%%
∗Less than one-half of 1%.
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 1. 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?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
A & B474842456155
A13111181717
B343731374438
C333137302431
D10109101010
Fail453753
Don't know66981
TABLE 10.5
Public opinion on grading the school their oldest child attends, 2004
using the a, b, c, d, fail scale again, what grade would you give the school your oldest child attends?
Public school parents
'04'03
%%
∗Less than one-half of 1%.
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 3. Using the A, B, C, D, FAIL scale again, what grade would you give the school your oldest child attends?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
A & B7068
A2429
B4639
C1620
D88
Fail44
Don't know2
TABLE 10.6
Public opinion on grading the schools in the nation, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'04'03'04'03
%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 2. 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?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
A&B262628262226
A222135
B242426251921
C455245524449
D131213111313
Fail433462
Don't know1271171510

STUDENT FAILURE

In 2004 survey respondents were asked who is most important in determining how well or how poorly students perform in school. Nearly one-half (45%) believed that students' parents are the most important determinant, while 30% cited students' teachers and 22% cited the students themselves. (See Table 10.13.)

In 2004 more than half (55%) of respondents whose children were failing would prefer tutoring provided by teachers in their child's school, and two-fifths (40%) would favor tutoring provided by an outside agency. (See Table 10.14.)

THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

In 2004 the public was asked several questions related to the academic achievement gap that exists between white and minority students. More than three-quarters (78%) of respondents believed that minority children had the same educational opportunities as white children in their communities in 2004 (see Table 10.15). Seventy-four percent responded that the achievement gap between white and minority students is related mostly to other factors, not to the quality of schooling (see Table 10.16). When asked how important it is to close this gap between groups of students, 64% responded that it is very important to close the gap (see Table 10.17), and more than half (56%) responded that it is the responsibility of the public schools to close the achievement gap between white and minority students. (See Table 10.18.)

When asked about various proposals to close the achievement gap between white and minority children, in 2004 the public strongly favored encouraging parental involvement (97%), providing more instructional time for low performing students (94%), and strengthening remedial programs (92%). Providing free breakfast and free lunch programs (84%), providing state-funded preschool programs (80%), and providing in-school health clinics (76%) were also supported by the majority of respondents. (See Table 10.19.)

TABLE 10.7
Public opinion on reforming the existing public school system versus finding an alternative to the existing public school system, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'02'01'00'04'03'02'01'00'04'03'02'01'00
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 5. 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?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Reforming existing system667369725963736973597273697360
Finding alternative system262527243428242623342125272534
Don't know824479354772426
TABLE 10.8
Public opinion on increasing the mandatory school attendance age, 2004
some people have proposed increasing the mandatory attendance age to 18 as a way to deal with the school dropout problem. would you favor or oppose increasing the mandatory attendance age to 18 in your state?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 35. Some people have proposed increasing the mandatory attendance age to 18 as a way to deal with the school dropout problem. Would you favor or oppose increasing the mandatory attendance age to 18 in your state?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Favor666668
Oppose303128
Don't know434
TABLE 10.9
Public opinion on eliminating the senior year of high school, 2004
some people have proposed eliminating the senior year of high school so that students could get an earlier start on getting a college education or on entering the work force. would you favor or oppose using this plan in the high schools in your community?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 36. Some people have proposed eliminating the senior year of high school so that students could get an earlier start on getting a college education or on entering the work force. Would you favor or oppose using this plan in the high schools in your community?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Favor242325
Oppose747573
Don't know222
TABLE 10.10
Public opinion on whether it is possible to judge a student's proficiency in English and math on a single test, 2004
in your opinion, is it possible or not possible to accurately judge a student's proficiency in english and math on the basis of a single test?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parentsThose knowing great deal/fair amountThose knowing very little/nothing at all
'04'03'04'03'04'03'04'04
%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 10. In your opinion, is it possible or not possible to accurately judge a student's proficiency in English and math on the basis of a single test?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Yes, possible2526262724222724
No, not possible7372727175777274
Don't know22221112
TABLE 10.11
Public opinion on whether relying on English and math testing to judge a school's performance will lead to less emphasis on other subjects, 2004
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? would you say you are concerned a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or not at all?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parentsThose knowing great deal/fair amountThose knowing very little/nothing at all
'04'03'04'03'04'03'04'04
%%%%%%%%
∗Less than one-half of 1 %.
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 11. 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? Would you say you are concerned a great deal, a fair amount, or not at all?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
A great deal plus a fair amount8180818085828481
A great deal3740353843454235
A fair amount4440464242374246
Not much1314131311151014
Not at all46473345
Don't know22120
TABLE 10.12
Public opinion on whether greater emphasis on English, math, and science will serve students' needs, 2004
some states are now requiring the public schools to place greater emphasis at all grade levels on english, math, and science. thinking about the needs of the public school students in your community, do you think this increased emphasis will serve all, most, some, or only a few of these students needs?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 33. Some states are now requiring the public schools to place greater emphasis at all grade levels on English, math, and science. Thinking about the needs of the public school students in your community, do you think this increased emphasis will serve all, most, some, or only a few of these students' needs?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
All292829
Most323037
Some283025
Only a few9106
Don't know223
TABLE 10.13
Public opinion on who is most important in determining how well or poorly students perform in school, 2004
in your opinion, who is most important in determining how well or how poorly students perform in school—the students themselves, the students' teachers, or the students' parents?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 29. In your opinion, who is most important in determining how well or how poorly students perform in school—the students themselves, the students' teachers, or the students' parents?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Students themselves222321
Students' teachers303129
Students' parents454248
Don't know342
TABLE 10.14
Public opinion on tutoring, 2004
now, let's assume that your child was failing in his or her school. which kind of tutoring would you prefer—tutoring provided by teachers in your child's school or tutoring provided by an outside agency that you would select from a state-approved list?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parentsThose knowing great deal/fair amountThose knowing very little/nothing at all
'04'03'04'03'04'03'04'04
%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 13. Now, let's assume that your child was failing in his or her school. Which kind of tutoring would you prefer—tutoring provided by teachers in your child's school or tutoring provided by an outside agency that you would select from a state-approved list?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Tutoring provided by teachers in child's school5552535260545356
Tutoring provided by outside agency4045424634424139
Don't know53526465
TABLE 10.15
Public opinion on whether minority children have the same educational opportunities as other children, 2004
in your opinion, do black children and other minority children in your community have the same educational opportunities as white children?
National totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'01'78'04'01'78'04'01'78
%%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 28. In your opinion, do black children and other minority children in your community have the same educational opportunities as white children?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Yes, the same787980767878828086
No, not the same201814221715161811
Don't know236257223
TABLE 10.16
Public opinion on whether the achievement gap is related to the quality of schooling or to other factors, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'02'01'04'03'02'01'04'03'02'01
%%%%%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 25. In your opinion, is the achievement gap between white students and black and Hispanic students mostly related to the quality of the schooling received or mostly related to other factors?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Mostly related to quality of schooling received191629211915312020182222
Mostly related to other factors748066737380647276807574
Don't know745685584234
TABLE 10.17
Public opinion on the achievement gap, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'03'02'01'04'03'02'01'04'03'02'01
%%%%%%%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 24. 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?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Very plus somewhat important889094888991938989889687
Very important647180666570806663738067
Somewhat important241914222421132326151620
Not too important552545253425
Not at all important543553447716
Don't know211221121112
TABLE 10.18
Public opinion on whether it is the public schools' responsibility to close the achievement gap, 2004
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 totalsNo children in schoolPublic school parents
'04'01'04'01'04'01
%%%%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 26. 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?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Yes, it is565556565653
No, it is not404139394145
Don't know445532
TABLE 10.19
Public opinion on various proposals to close the achievement gap, 2004
numerous proposals have been suggested as ways to close the achievement gap between white, black, and hispanic students. as i mention some of these proposals, one at a time, would you tell me whether you would favor or oppose it as a way to close the achievement gap.
FavorOpposeDon't know
%%%
Source: Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. Gallup, "Table 27. Numerous proposals have been suggested as ways to close the achievement gap between white, black, and Hispanic students. As I mention some of these proposals, one at a time, would you tell me whether you would favor or oppose it as a way to close the achievement gap?," in "The 36th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools," Phi Delta Kappan, September 2004. Reproduced with permission.
Encourage more parent involvement9721
Provide more instructional time for low-performing students9451
Strengthen remedial programs for low-performing students9262
Provide free breakfast and free lunch programs as needed84151
Provide state-funded preschool programs80182
Provide in-school health clinics76213

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