The well-respected Texas Poll has come out with some timely information politicians should heed regarding public attitudes toward public schools. The independent poll tells us emphatically that the would-be privatizers, profit-seekers, and other critics of public education have not sold the public on their agenda. Key findings include:
88% of Texans agree that public schools need more money from the state. Only 10% disagreed. (2% said they did not know).
68% said they are willing to pay higher taxes in order to get more funding for public schools.
82% said they favor higher taxes for increased teacher salaries (versus only 14% opposed). In fact, a majority in all age, ethnicity, and gender groups support higher taxes for higher teacher salaries.
71% also favor paying higher taxes to lower class size, while only 24% oppose that option.
59% say our schools are doing an excellent or good job, compared to 40% who say fair or poor. The positive result is higher for residents with children in the public schools: 63% say the schools are doing an excellent or good job, while 35% say fair or poor.
Copyright 2010 San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel