The PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools revealed that 60% of Americans oppose the Common Core and 56% say local schools boards should have the greatest influence in deciding what is taught in public schools. The poll, conducted annually, is based on a survey of 1,001 Americans of 18 years and older.
“For the 60% of Americans who oppose using the Common Core, their most important reason is that it will limit the flexibility that teachers have to teach what they think is best.”
On the matter of standardized testing, although 68% of Americans are doubtful that they help teachers, they support them to evaluate student achievement or aid decisions about student placement.
When asked if they favor or oppose allowing students and parents to choose a private school at public expense, two-thirds of Americans opposed vouchers.
An analysis of the findings shows that 32% of Americans consider financial support to be the greatest challenge facing American public schools. Furthermore, the poll shows a decline in the percentage of Americans who support the federal government’s influence on public schools. This year’s results confirm 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.”