Nationwide Poll Shows Growing Support for School Choice

Since 2016, favorability for private school choice increased substantially

 
Education Next, a project of Harvard university, released their annual poll on education, and this year’s edition shows growing support for school choice across the country since 2016.
Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation of Children:
“This is another poll in a long line showing that voters continue to support educational choice policies. Despite the rhetoric from teachers’ unions and the chattering class on Twitter since 2016, the facts clearly show that support is on the rise for educational options over the past three years. Since the 2016 poll, voters have grown their support for private school choice policies substantially. We believe that it is vital that all families have the freedom to choose the best education for their child, and private school options have to be in the mix for states to truly improve educational outcomes. And policymakers should take note that key constituencies like parents, African Americans, and Hispanics register the highest support for school choice policies.
“This poll also shows a strong support for Sec. Betsy DeVos’ Education Freedom Scholarships proposal, garnering 58% support. And 69% of African Americans, 67% of Hispanics, 63% of Parents, and 61% of non-union public school teachers – along with a majority of teachers (52%) – support this proposal.”
Details:

  • Support for vouchers for all families has risen from 45% in 2016 to 55% today – a 22% increase in just three years.
  • Support for vouchers for low-income families has risen from 37% in 2016 to 49% today – a 32% increase. 
  • Support for tax credit scholarships has risen from 53% in 2016 to 58% today – a 9% increase. 
  • Support for charter schools has decreased insignificantly since 2016, from 51% to 48%, though support from African American and Hispanic families has increased.

Full Details:
Tax Credit Scholarships: 
A proposal has been made to offer a tax credit for individual and corporate donations that pay for scholarships to help low-income parents send their children to private schools. Would you favor or oppose such a proposal?
General Public: 58%
Parents: 59%
Teachers: 49%
White: 55%
Black: 66%
Hispanic: 67%
Republicans: 65%
Democrats: 56%
Union-member public school teachers: 29%
Non-union public school teachers: 59%
Federal Tax Credit Scholarship:
A proposal has been made for the federal government to offer a tax credit for individual and corporate donations that pay for scholarships to help low-income parents send their children to private schools. Would you favor or oppose such a proposal?
General Public: 57%
Parents: 63%
Teachers: 52%
White: 53%
Black: 69%
Hispanic: 67%
Republicans: 56%
Democrats: 58%
Union-member public school teachers: 39%
Non-union public school teachers: 61%
Vouchers for All Families:
A proposal has been made that would give all families with children in public schools a wider choice, by allowing them to enroll their children in private schools instead, with government helping to pay the tuition. Would you support or oppose this proposal?
General Public: 55%
Parents: 62%
Teachers: 37%
White: 53%
Black: 62%
Hispanic: 62%
Republicans: 61%
Democrats: 52%
Union-member public school teachers: 21%
Non-union public school teachers: 47%
Vouchers for Low-Income Families:
A proposal has been made that would give low-income families with children in public schools a wider choice, by allowing them to enroll their children in private schools instead, with government helping to pay the tuition. Would you support or oppose this proposal?
General Public: 49%
Parents: 56%
Teachers: 39%
White: 42%
Black: 66%
Hispanic: 69%
Republicans: 44%
Democrats: 52%
Union-member public school teachers: 21%
Non-union public school teachers: 50%
Charter Schools: 
As you may know, many states permit the formation of charter schools, which are publicly funded but are not managed by the local school board. These schools are expected to meet promised objectives, but are exempt from many state regulations. Do you support or oppose the -formation of charter schools?
General Public: 48%
Parents: 50%
Teachers: 42%
White: 48%
Black: 55%
Hispanic: 51%
Republicans: 61%
Democrats: 40%
Union-member public school teachers: 28%
Non-union public school teachers: 50%
 
 

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