Support for School Choice Surges as Schools Start
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by
TOMMY SCHULTZ
A RealClear Opinion Research survey of 2,020 registered voters shows increasing support for school choice and for specific policy proposals.
More school choice polling can be found at www.SchoolChoicePolling.com
Major findings:
– Since the last RealClear poll in April, for parents with kids in public schools, there’s been a ten point jump in support for the concept of school choice, from 67% to 77%
– 80% of public school parents, 72% of Democrats, 76% of Republicans, and 73% of Independents support this statement: “On average, American taxpayers spend $15,424 per student nationwide on K-12 public education. Would you support or oppose giving parents a portion of those funds to use for home, virtual, or private education if public schools do not reopen for in-person classes?”
– 78% of public school parents and 79% of non-public school parents support this statement: “Recent federal legislation gave governors new funding they can use for K-12 education. Some governors have let families control the funds for the purchase of education technology and materials, private school tuition, and home education. Would you support or oppose your governor sending the funding directly to families and allowing them to choose how to use those funds to support their child’s education?”
Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation of Children:
“This polling data shows one of the most astounding short-term jumps in support for educational choice policies. Clearly, families are incredibly frustrated at the district schools’ response to this crisis and are tired of the months and months of fumbles. The inflexibility of our K-12 system is on full display, leaving families to scramble as the special interests that have controlled our public education system for generations continue to oppose giving families and students greater educational choice.
“It could not be more clear that families are desperate for other options and will support governors and other policymakers as they pursue policies that let them control their child’s education funding. We urge these policymakers to give families flexibility, relief, and support by providing more opportunities for them to choose the best K-12 educational environment for their son or daughter.”
Polling Details:
Questions for all 2,020 respondents:
Question: Funding Families
“On average, American taxpayers spend $15,424 per student nationwide on K-12 public education. Would you support or oppose giving parents a portion of those funds to use for home, virtual, or private education if public schools do not reopen for in-person classes?”
Support:
All: 73%
Age:
18-24: 69%
25-34: 78%
35-44: 74%
45-54: 76%
55-64: 77%
65+: 68%
Race & Ethnicity:
White: 74%
Black: 73%
Hispanic: 71%
Asian: 79%
Party ID:
Democrat: 72%
Republican: 76%
Independent: 73%
Area:
Urban: 74%
Suburban: 73%
Small town: 70%
Rural: 74%
Families with kids in school:
Public school: 80%
Non-public school: 75%
No kids in school: 71%
Question: School Choice
School choice gives parents the right to use the tax dollars designated for their child’s education to send their child to the public or private school which best serves their needs. Generally speaking, would you say you support or oppose the concept of school choice?
Support:
All: 69%
Age:
18-24: 64%
25-34: 73%
35-44: 75%
45-54: 70%
55-64: 67%
65+: 63%
Race & Ethnicity:
White: 70%
Black: 70%
Hispanic: 68%
Asian: 68%
Party ID:
Democrat: 63%
Republican: 79%
Independent: 67%
Area:
Urban: 73%
Suburban: 67%
Small town: 65%
Rural: 67%
Families with kids in school:
Public school: 77%
Non-public school: 77%
No kids in school: 66%
Question: Governors’ discretionary funds
“Recent federal legislation gave governors new funding they can use for K-12 education. Some governors have let families control the funds for the purchase of education technology and materials, private school tuition, and home education. Would you support or oppose your governor sending the funding directly to families and allowing them to choose how to use those funds to support their child’s education?”
Support:
All: 67%
Age:
18-24: 67%
25-34: 76%
35-44: 73%
45-54: 64%
55-64: 68%
65+: 57%
Race & Ethnicity:
White: 66%
Black: 68%
Hispanic: 72%
Asian: 73%
Party ID:
Democrat: 66%
Republican: 68%
Independent: 68%
Area:
Urban: 71%
Suburban: 67%
Small town: 61%
Rural: 63%
Families with kids in school:
Public school: 78%
Non-public school: 79%
No kids in school: 63%
QUESTION: SCHOOL PREFERENCE
“If it was your decision and you could select any type of K-12 school, what type of school would you select in order to obtain the best education for your child?”
District Public – 32%
(Remainder) – 68%
-Private – 29%
-Public Charter – 13%
-Home – 15%
-Virtual – 11%
Date: August 19-21
+/- 2.4%