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Education

Trend: How Satisfied Are You With the Quality of K-12 Education in the U.S. Today?

Trend: Next, we’d like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied. If you don’t have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about the quality of public education in the nation?

Overall, how satisfied are you with the quality of education students receive in kindergarten through grade twelve in the U.S. today -- would you say you are completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied?

Completely
satisfied

Some-
what
satisfied

Some-
what
dis-
satisfied

Completely
dis-
satisfied

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Aug 11-14

8

37

32

22

1

2010 Aug 5-8

9

34

37

17

2

2009 Aug 6-9

8

37

35

17

3

2008 Aug 7-10

7

37

38

15

3

2007 Aug 13-16

7

39

35

16

3

2006 Aug 7-10

8

37

33

19

3

2005 Aug 8-11

9

37

35

16

3

2004 Aug 9-11

10

43

32

13

2

2003 Aug 4-6

8

40

34

16

2

2002 Aug 5-8

7

40

32

18

3

2001 Aug 16-19

10

38

32

17

3

2000 Aug 24-27

7

29

40

21

3

1999 Aug 24-26

8

39

38

13

2

Thinking about your oldest child in kindergarten through grade twelve, what grade will he or she be entering this fall?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

Kindergarten-
Fifth

Sixth-
Eighth

Ninth-
Twelfth

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

2011 Aug 11-14

32

22

44

2

2010 Aug 5-8

34

26

40

*

2009 Aug 6-9

36

22

41

*

2008 Aug 7-10

36

24

39

1

2007 Aug 13-16

29

23

47

1

2006 Aug 7-10

39

21

39

1

2005 Aug 8-11

38

22

40

--

2004 Aug 9-11

38

21

40

1

2003 Aug 4-6

40

18

42

--

2002 Aug 5-8

40

23

36

1

2001 Aug 16-19

38

20

41

1

1999 Aug 24-26

44

25

30

1

* Less than 0.5%

Will your oldest child attend public, private, parochial, or home school this year?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

Public

Private

Parochial

Home
school

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Aug 11-14

84

9

2

4

1

2010 Aug 5-8

85

7

5

2

1

2009 Aug 6-9

81

12

3

2

2

2008 Aug 7-10

81

12

5

2

--

2007 Aug 13-16

86

8

3

2

1

2006 Aug 7-10

82

13

3

2

*

2005 Aug 8-11

85

10

3

2

--

2004 Aug 9-11

86

7

4

2

1

2003 Aug 4-6

85

6

5

3

1

2002 Aug 5-8

89

7

2

2

*

2001 Aug 16-19

88

5

5

2

--

2000 Aug 24-27 ^

86

9

4

1

*

1999 Aug 24-26 ^

86

10

4

*

--

* Less than 0.5%

^ WORDING: Will that child attend public, private or parochial school?

How satisfied are you with the quality of education your oldest child is receiving? Would you say you are completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

Completely
satisfied

Some-
what
satisfied

Some-
what
dis-
satisfied

Com-
pletely
dis-
satisfied

Just
start-
ing
school
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Aug 11-14

36

42

12

9

1

*

2010 Aug 5-8

35

45

12

7

2

1

2009 Aug 6-9

39

37

14

7

2

1

2007 Aug 13-16

25

53

13

6

1

2

2006 Aug 7-10

35

42

12

7

3

1

2005 Aug 8-11

33

45

13

7

2

*

2004 Aug 9-11

32

47

15

4

2

*

2003 Aug 4-6

38

39

13

8

2

*

2002 Aug 5-8

29

39

20

7

4

1

2001 Aug 16-19

35

37

14

9

3

2

2000 Aug 24-27

31

47

12

6

4

*

1999 Aug 24-26

37

46

12

2

2

1

(vol.) = Volunteered response

* Less than 0.5%

Still thinking about your oldest child, how big of a problem is each of the following academic issues in your oldest child's school -- a major problem, a minor problem, or not a problem? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

2011 Aug 11-14
(sorted by "major problem")

Major
problem

Minor
problem

Not a
problem

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

Not enough emphasis on math and science

24

19

54

4

Not enough emphasis on reading and writing

22

21

54

3

Not enough emphasis on foreign language instruction

17

29

51

3

Not enough emphasis on physical education

16

20

61

2

Not enough emphasis on arts and music

13

34

51

2

Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little? First, ... Next, [RANDOM ORDER]

The public schools

Great
deal

Quite
a lot

Some

Very
little

None
(vol.)

No
opin-
ion

Great
deal/
Quite
a lot

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jun 9-12

14

20

38

25

2

1

34

2010 Jul 8-11

15

23

39

20

2

1

38

2009 Jun 14-17

16

17

42

22

1

2

33

2008 Jun 9-12

14

19

41

25

1

1

33

2007 Jun 11-14

15

22

36

23

2

2

37

2006 Jun 1-4

16

21

39

22

1

1

37

2005 May 23-26

16

25

39

18

1

1

41

2004 May 21-23

15

25

40

18

1

1

40

2003 Jun 9-10

12

26

41

18

2

1

38

2002 Jun 21-23

16

22

37

22

2

1

38

2001 Jun 8-10

13

24

41

19

2

1

37

2000 Jun 22-25

14

22

37

24

2

1

36

1999 Jun 25-27

16

21

40

20

2

1

37

1998 Jun 5-7

18

22

39

19

1

1

40

1997 Jul 25-27

16

22

38

21

1

2

38

1996 May 28-29

18

22

36

20

2

2

40

1995 Apr 21-24

14

20

40

23

2

1

34

1994 Mar 25-29

14

25

37

21

2

1

39

1993 Mar 22-24

14

21

38

22

2

3

35

1991 Oct 10-13

20

24

36

17

2

1

44

1991 Feb 28-Mar 3

21

24

34

18

1

2

45

1990 Aug 16-19

19

24

36

18

1

2

43

1989 Sep 7-10

18

31

35

14

1

1

49

1988 Sep 23-26

17

33

34

14

1

1

50

1987 Jul 10-13

17

32

33

16

1

1

49

1986 Jul 11-14

15

33

32

16

1

3

48

1985 May 17-20

20

28

32

19

--

2

48

1984 Oct 6-10

14

25

37

21

1

2

39

1983 Aug 5-8

16

26

32

20

5

1

42

1981 Nov 20-23

23

30

30

14

1

2

53

1979 Apr 6-9

22

31

26

15

1

5

53

1977 Jan 7-10

29

33

22

13

1

3

62

1975 May 30-Jun 2

30

28

27

9

2

4

58

1973 May 4-7

15

23

39

20

2

1

38

(vol.) = Volunteered response

What action would you like to see Congress take on the No Child Left Behind education law -- [ROTATED: eliminate the No Child Left Behind law, keep the law but with major revisions, keep the No Child Left Behind law basically as it is], or don't you know enough to say?

Eliminate
law

Keep, with
major revisions

Keep
basically as is

Don't know
enough to say

No
answer

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jan 14-16

16

41

21

21

1

Would you say that public education today in grades K through 12 is better, about the same, or worse than when you were a student?

Better

About the
same

Worse

No opinion

%

%

%

%

National adults

2010 Aug 5-8

21

21

54

3

2000 Apr 7-9

28

15

54

3

K-12 parents

2010 Aug 5-8

27

22

48

4

2000 Apr 7-9

33

12

52

3

In terms of public education in this country, do you think the federal government [ROTATED: should be more involved in education than it currently is, should keep its involvement about the same, (or) should be less involved in education than it currently is]?

More
involved

Keep the
same

Less
involved

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

National adults

2010 Aug 5-8

43

20

35

1

2000 Apr 7-9

46

22

29

3

K-12 parents

2010 Aug 5-8

56

16

27

1

2000 Apr 7-9

50

22

26

2

(Asked of parents with children in grades kindergarten through 12) Turning back to your oldest child's school, based on what you know or have read, is your oldest child's school is -- [ROTATED: doing all right financially and able to avoid making major spending cuts, (or is it) having financial difficulties and having to make major spending cuts]?

(Asked of parents whose child's school is making major spending cuts) Do you think this will or will not hurt the quality of your child's education?

COMBINED RESPONSES: BASED ON K-12 PARENTS

2010 Aug 5-8

%

School able to avoid major spending cuts

59

School having to make major spending cuts

32

(Will hurt quality of child's education)

(28)

(Will not hurt quality of child's education)

(4)

No opinion

9

Just your opinion, what would be the best way to improve kindergarten through 12th grade education in the U.S. today? [OPEN-ENDED]

2009
Aug 6-9

2004
Aug 9-11

%

%

Quality teachers/better educated/more involvement/caring

17

15

Back to the basic curriculum (reading, writing, arithmetic)

10

10

Improve school funding

6

7

Reduce number of children in classroom

6

11

Better pay for the teachers

6

6

Teach more about real life/how to survive

5

2

More parental involvement

5

6

Improve standards for testing

4

2

Better discipline in schools

4

5

Hire more teachers

4

5

Get rid of/Abolish teachers' unions or the NEA

3

1

Stop the government from running schools/
Get rid of No Child Left Behind

3

2

School vouchers

2

2

More resources in the schools for teaching

2

1

Spend more time/hours in school

2

1

Put God back in school

1

1

More schools/Improved schools

1

2

Year-round schooling

1

1

Better security/Safer schools

*

1

Other

2

7

None

4

2

No opinion

11

10

Next, how familiar are you with the No Child Left Behind Act, the federal education law passed in 2002 -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar, or not familiar at all?

Very
familiar

Somewhat
familiar

Not too
familiar

Not at all
familiar

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2009 Aug 6-9

14

46

25

14

--

(Asked of those very, somewhat or not too familiar with No Child Left Behind) From what you have may have heard or read, do you think the No Child Left Behind Act has generally made the education received by public school students in the United States -- [ROTATED: better, has it not made much difference, (or has it made it) worse]?

2009 Aug 6-9

Made
better

Not
made
much
difference

Made
worse

Not
familiar
with

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

National adults

18

39

25

14

5

Familiar with NCLB Act

21

45

29

--

5

Thinking about your oldest child, when he or she is at school, do you fear for his or her physical safety?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

Yes, fear

No, do not

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Mar 27-29

26

74

*

2008 Aug 7-10

15

85

--

2007 Aug 13-16

24

76

*

2006 Oct 6-8

35

65

--

2006 Aug 7-10

25

75

*

2005 Aug 8-11

21

79

*

2004 Aug 9-11

28

71

1

2003 Aug 4-6

24

76

*

2002 Aug 5-8

31

68

1

2001 Aug 16-19

32

68

0

2001 Mar 9-11

45

54

1

2000 Aug 24-27

26

74

0

2000 Apr 7-9

43

57

0

1999 Aug 24-26

47

53

*

1999 May 21-23

52

47

1

1999 Apr 26-27

49

51

*

1999 Apr 21

55

45

0

1998 Jun 5-7

37

62

1

1977 ^

24

70

6

* Less than 0.5%

^ Gallup for Kettering Foundation

Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school when they go back to school this fall?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2009 Mar 27-29 ^

10

90

--

2008 Aug 7-10

8

91

1

2007 Aug 13-16

12

87

1

2006 Oct 6-8

12

88

--

2006 Aug 7-10

11

87

2

2004 Aug 9-11

10

89

1

2003 Aug 4-6

8

91

1

2001 Mar 9-11 †

22

77

1

2000 Aug 24-27

8

92

*

1999 Aug 24-26

18

82

*

* Less than 0.5%

^ WORDING: Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school?

† WORDING: Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school when they go to school?

Just your opinion, what would be the best way to improve the education your oldest child receives at his or her school? [OPEN-ENDED]


[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

2007 Aug 13-16

%

Reduce number of children per classroom

13

Quality teachers/better educated/more involved/caring

11

More teacher involvement/caring

9

Back to the basic curriculum/three R's

7

Improve school funding

6

Better pay for teachers

5

More parental involvement

5

More resources in the schools for teaching

4

Improve standards for testing

3

Hire more teachers

3

Teach more about real life/how to survive

2

Better discipline in schools

2

Better security/safer schools

2

Stop the government from running the schools/Get rid of "No Child Left Behind"

1

Spend more time/hours in school

1

Year-round schooling

1

School vouchers

1

Get rid of teachers' unions/Abolish the NEA

1

Other

8

Nothing

7

No opinion

8

(Asked of those who are parents of children in grades K-12) Generally speaking, would you describe the lunches served in the school that your oldest child attends as -- very nutritious, somewhat nutritious, not that nutritious, or not nutritious at all?

Very
nutritious

Somewhat
nutritious

Not that
nutritious

Not
nutritious
at all

No
opinion

2007 Aug 3-5

21%

42

17

10

11

(Asked of those who are parents of children in grades K-12) Thinking about the amount of foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads offered in your child's school, do you think the school is offering enough of these kinds of food, or should it offer more?

Offering enough

Should offer more

No opinion

2007 Aug 3-5

27%

66

8

(Asked of those who are parents of children in grades K-12) Do you think your child's school is offering too many foods that should not be served to children, or not?

Yes, too many

No, not

No opinion

2007 Aug 3-5

43%

48

8

(Asked of those who are parents of children in grades K-12) How much do you think school lunches are to blame for the problem of childhood obesity -- a great deal, a moderate amount, not much, or not at all?

Great
deal

Moderate
amount

Not
much

Not
at all

No
opinion

2007 Aug 3-5

9%

22

37

30

2

Now thinking about the school your oldest child attends, do you think there is too much emphasis, the right amount, or too little emphasis on [RANDOM ORDER]?

[ASKED OF K-12 PARENTS]

2005 Aug 8-11
(sorted by "too much")

Too
much
emphasis

Right
amount

Too
little
emphasis

Not
applicable
(vol.)

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

Sports

18

57

20

4

1

Preparing for standardized tests

18

52

24

3

3

Reading and English

5

66

28

*

1

Art and music

5

61

32

1

1

Sciences

5

60

31

2

2

Physical education

4

58

35

1

2

Foreign languages

4

42

46

6

2

Health

3

60

33

2

2

Composition or writing

3

60

35

*

2

Math

2

65

31

1

1

History

2

60

34

2

2

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Please tell me whether you favor or oppose a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer in public schools.

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2005 Aug 8-11

76

23

1

2001 Aug 16-19

78

20

2

2000 Sep 11-13 ^

74

23

3

1994 Nov 28-29 †

73

25

2

1983 Jul 22-25 ‡

81

14

5

^ Based on half sample

† Wording: "Here are some other proposals the Republicans in Congress have made. For each one, please tell me whether you favor or oppose it. How about … a Constitutional amendment to allow voluntary school prayer in public schools."

‡ Based on 1,285 national adults who have heard or read about the proposal for a Constitutional amendment to allow voluntary school prayer in public schools.

If you had a choice, which would you prefer in the local public schools -- [ROTATED: spoken prayer, (or) a moment of silence for contemplation or silent prayer]?

Spoken
prayer

Moment of
silence/
silent
prayer

Neither
(vol.)

Both
(vol.)

No
opinion

2005 Aug 8-11

23%

69

5

3

*

1995 May 1-30 ^

24%

70

3

2

1

^ Gallup/PDK survey

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

On a different subject, do you think each of the following explanations about the origin and development of life on earth should or should not be taught in public school science classes, or are you unsure? How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

2005 Aug 8-11
(sorted by "yes, should")

Yes,
should

No,
should not


Unsure


No answer

Evolution

61%

20

19

*

Creationism

54%

22

23

1

Intelligent design

43%

21

35

1

* Less than 0.5%

How familiar are you the practice of granting tenure to public school teachers -- very familiar, somewhat familiar, not too familiar, or not familiar at all?

Very
familiar

Some-
what
familiar

Not too
familiar

Not
familiar
at all

No
opinion

2005 Aug 8-11

18%

32

19

30

1

Based on what you have heard or read, do you favor or oppose tenure laws for public school teachers?

Favor

Oppose

Unsure

No opinion

2005 Aug 8-11

19%

22

58

1

Thinking about the presence that religion currently has in public schools in this country, do you think religion has -- [ROTATED: too much of a presence in public schools, about the right amount, (or) too little of a presence in public schools]?

Too much
of a
presence

About the
right
amount

Too little
of a
presence

No
opinion

2005 Aug 8-11

11%

27

60

2

2001 Feb 9-11 ^

7%

28

63

2

^ Asked of a half sample

Now thinking specifically about the school that your youngest school-aged child will attend, which of the following applies -- it has a fully licensed nurse on site, it has a nurse's aide or other health care professional with more limited medical training on site, it has neither, or are you unsure?

BASED ON PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Fully
licensed
nurse

Nurse's
aide or
other
professional

Neither

Unsure

No
opinion

2005 Jul 22-24

36%

28

13

21

2

How important is it to you, personally, that this school has a fully licensed nurse on site -- extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not important?

BASED ON PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Extremely
important

Very
important

Some-
what
important

Not
important

No
opinion

2005 Jul 22-24

35%

30

22

13

*

* Less than 0.5%

In all, how many children do you have that will be attending kindergarten through grade 12 this year?

[BASED ON 291 K-12 PARENTS]

2004 Aug 9-11

2001 Aug 16-19

%

%

1

46

44

2

33

38

3

13

10

4

3

5

5 or more

4

3

No opinion

1

*

Mean

1.9

1.9

Median

2

2

Thinking now more broadly about all your school aged children, do you have any children who will be attending -- [RANDOM ORDER] this year? How about -- [INSERT NEXT ITEM]?

[BASED ON 291 K-12 PARENTS]

A. A public school

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Aug 9-11

87%

13

--

2001 Aug 16-19

93%

7

--

B. A parochial, or church-related school

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Aug 9-11

8%

92

--

2001 Aug 16-19

9%

91

--

C. An independent private school

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Aug 9-11

11%

89

--

2001 Aug 16-19

7%

93

--

D. Home school, meaning not enrolled in a formal school, but taught at home

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Aug 9-11

3%

97

--

2001 Aug 16-19

2%

98

--

How closely have you followed the news about school vouchers -- very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not too
closely

Not at all

No
opinion

2004 Aug 9-11

12

32

29

26

1

2002 Aug 5-8

14%

35

26

24

1

From what you know or have heard, do you favor or oppose school vouchers, or do you not know enough to say?

Favor

Oppose

Unsure

No answer

2004 Aug 9-11

22%

16

62

*

2002 Aug 5-8 ^

29%

15

56

*

* Less than 0.5%

^ Asked of a half sample

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