On most policy questions, public opinion changes slowly, if at all. But when new issues arise, important shifts can occur before opinion sorts itself into settled patterns. And, on occasion, critical events can jar opinion from settled patterns into a new equilibrium. … Public debate over a nationwide effort to […] Read more »
Americans Wary of Federal Influence on Public Schools
Americans’ trust in U.S. leaders has slipped amid partisan gridlock that has led to federal government inaction on pressing issues at home and abroad. Americans’ weak confidence in the federal government extends to issues surrounding public education. When asked to reflect on who should have the greatest influence on what […] Read more »
PDK/Gallup Poll: Try it again, uncle Sam
… A careful reading of the results of the 46th annual PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools confirms what the data suggested last year: A majority of Americans do not support public education initiatives that they believe were created by or promoted by federal policy makers. […] Read more »
National Teacher Attitudes on the Adoption of Common Core State Standards
While teachers’ outlook on Common Core continues to be positive, there are some challenges emerging on the horizon that need to be addressed. By a 2:1 margin (62% approve-31% disapprove) teachers approve of adoption of Common Core State Standards. However, this support is soft as 17% said they strongly approve […] Read more »
Fear for Child’s Safety Nearly Back to Pre-Sandy Hook Levels
The percentage of U.S. parents who say they fear for their oldest child’s safety at school has fallen to 27% after being elevated for more than a year following the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Parents’ concern jumped eight percentage points from 25% in August 2012 […] Read more »
One in Six Say Immigration Most Important Problem
With thousands of undocumented immigrant minors crossing the nation’s southern border in recent months, the percentage of Americans citing immigration as the top problem has surged to 17% this month, up from 5% in June, and the highest seen since 2006. As a result, immigration now virtually ties “dissatisfaction with […] Read more »