The 43rd Annual Phi Delta Kappa International/Gallup Poll, this year titled “Betting on Teachers,” reveals that Americans trust teachers even if they believe that the quality of our schools needs to improve.
Key findings on recruiting, retaining great teachers:
- Seven out of 10 polled say they have “trust and confidence in the men and women who are teaching children in the public schools.” This is unchanged from last year’s poll. More than half think their local public school has a hard time attracting good teachers. More than two-thirds think giving teachers more flexibility is preferable to following a prescribed curriculum.
- Three of four polled would support recruiting high-achieving students to be teachers and would “encourage the brightest person they know” to become a teacher.
- By a large majority, the ability to teach students is perceived to be a result of natural talent versus college training.
- Two-thirds would like to their child to become a public school teacher again this year.
Key findings on teachers and collective bargaining:
- Nearly half (47%) believe that unionization has helped the quality of public school education.
- A majority (52%) would side with teacher unions versus the governor in states where there are budget and collective bargaining disputes.
- In determining teacher pay, more than one third (38%) think academic degrees, experience and principal evaluations are very important; 29% say student test scores are very important.
- Opinion is split on releasing information about individual teacher’s student test scores.
Key findings on quality and the problems facing education;
- Once again, lack of financial support tops the lists of problems faced by public schools.
- Community schools receive a letter grade of A or B by a majority (51%); in 2010 49% received those grades. Only 17% graded the nation’s schools A or B. Key factors driving the difference are that there is greater knowledge and pride in community schools.
- Teachers get a letter grade of A or B from 69% of those polled; 54% for principals; 37% for the school board; 36% for parents.
- Barack Obama gets an A or B for his support of public schools by 41%, up from 34% last year.
- More than two thirds (70%) now favor the idea of charters schools; in 2010 68% approved.
- Public school choice is favored by 74%; 34% approve of allowing parents to choose private schools at public expense.
Other sections of the poll considered opinions digital learning, preparing students for the future, and students of military families.
The poll is based on a sample of 1,000 adults in U.S. households. This poll is considered a trusted source of information. The full report is here: http://www.pdkintl.org/poll/index.htm.