The Public Opinion Climate in Washington for Education Reform November 2009

The Public Opinion Climate in Washington for Education Reform

November 2009

Prepared for:Stand for Children

2

Public Opinion In Washington

• General

• Local public K-12 schools

• Education reform – specific proposals

• Accountability

• Advocacy considerations

Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc.

1) Introduction

3

Public Opinion In Washington • Negativity toward government and politicians

• Awareness and knowledge levels declining

• No consensus

• Information sources more varied

• Increased sense of hopefulness and spirit of community


2) Public Opinion In Washington Generally

4

Washingtonians’ Most Important Issues• “Economy” is #1

• #2: BOTH “Cost of Health Care” and “Education”

• “Transportation system” improvements

• Development of “alternative sources of energy”

• Others


2) Public Opinion In Washington Generally

5

Washingtonians’ Attitudes About Their Local K-12 Public School

• General mood

• Biggest obstacles

• Most important goals

• Best indicators

• Best spokespersons


3) Public Opinion In Washington About Education

6

Education Reform ProposalsFrom Stand for Children Survey

March 2009, n=600 registered voters

• Raising high school graduation requirements

• Kindergarten and pre-school

• Teacher pay

• Mentoring

• Education funding


4) Education Reform Proposals

7 Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, Inc.

5) Raising High School Graduation RequirementsDo you support or oppose raising high school graduation

standards so students graduate ready for college or a career?

Strongly oppose4%

Somewhat oppose10%

Somewhatsupport

31%

Strongly support52%

Don't know3%


5) Raising High School Graduation RequirementsDo you oppose or favor adopting graduation requirements that prepare all

students for life after high school, whether that is a university, college, career/technical school, or work. This would include at least 4 credits of

English, 3 credits of math through Algebra II, and 3 credits of social studies?

Strongly oppose4%

Somewhat oppose6%

Somewhatfavor31%

Strongly favor55%

Don't know4%


6) Kindergarten and pre-School

Do you favor or oppose providing voluntary full day kindergarten?

Strongly oppose11%

Somewhat oppose

14%

Somewhat favor39%

Strongly favor33%

Don't know3%


6) Kindergarten and pre-SchoolDo you favor or oppose providing a pre-school program for 3 and

4 year olds living in poverty?

Strongly oppose14%

Somewhat oppose

13%

Somewhat favor31%

Strongly favor40%

Don't know1%


7) Teacher Pay Changes, Variation, EvaluationCurrently teacher pay is based on seniority and additional money available for having a masters degree. It has been suggested that the method of paying teachers should be

changed to one where teachers are paid for becoming leaders and mentors and basing annual raises on their performance, student academic growth, and classroom observations

by a third party. How supportive would you be of that change?

Not at all supportive

11%

Not very supportive

13%

Somewhat supportive36%

Very support-ive38%

Don't know2%


7) Teacher Pay Changes, Variation, EvaluationDo you oppose or agree with the following statements about teaching in

Washington?

Teacher pay should be uniform regardless of subject taught

All teachers with the same seniority and level of education should be paid the same

Teachers who teach in schools with more challenging student populations should be paid more than other teachers

Schools should be able to pay more for math and science teachers to help resolve the teaching shortage in those subject areas

Some teachers should earn more based on their performance, assignments, or market demand for their skills

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

13%

16%

18%

32%

35%

20%

21%

45%

40%

44%

9%

7%

10%

8%

7%

33%

28%

14%

11%

8%

22%

27%

11%

8%

5%

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know


7) Teacher Pay Changes, Variation, EvaluationDo you oppose or agree with the following statements about teaching in

Washington?

All teachers should be paid more, re-gardless of their level of experience or

ability to teach effectively

Increases in teacher salaries should be based on performance and responsibility

level, not seniority

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

11%

54%

17%

29%

5%

5%

23%

6%

43%

5%



8) MentoringDo you support or oppose providing high quality mentoring

for first and second year teachers and principals?

Somewhat oppose8%

Strongly oppose6%

Somewhat support

43%

Strongly support40%

Don't know3%


8) MentoringDo you agree or disagree that new teachers should be provided

with two years of mentoring and support?

Strongly disagree4%

Somewhat disagree

4%

Neutral4%

Somewhat agree40%

Strongly agree47%

Don't know 1%


9) Education FundingSome people feel because the 2009 Washington Legislature has significantly less revenue to fund state services that K-12 education spending should be a higher priority than spending on corrections, health care and social services. Do you

agree or disagree?

Agree strongly29%

Agree somewhat28%

Disagree Somewhat20%

Disagree Strongly16%

Don't know7%


9) Education FundingLet me read two statements about K-12 public schools in Washington. Please tell me which one

statement comes closer to your point of view?

Statement A: We should increase the amount of funding for schools before adding any new requirements or expectations for improvements on teachers and schools.

Statement B: Any increases in public school funding should be accompanied by increased expectations and accountability so that we can measure improvements in the system.

Statement A, a lot closer16%

Statement A, somewhat closer

13%

Statement B, somewhat closer

24%

Statement B, a lot closer42%

Don't know4%


9) Education FundingDo you oppose or agree with the following statements about

teaching in Washington?

I would pay more in personal taxes if I was as-sured that money went directly to pay teachers

more based on their impact on student aca-demic growth

I would pay more in personal taxes so that teachers' salaries could be raised across the

board regardless of performance

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

35%

10%

36%

19%

7%

6%

8%

18%

13%

47%

1%


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Semantics & Imagery

“Accountability” means different things depending on who you talk to


10) Accountability

20

Semantics & ImageryThe equation:

Administrative costs

Student achievement

Teacher quality

Teacher benefits

Curriculum

+ Parent commitment/involvement

“ACCOUNTABILITY”


10) Accountability

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Advocacy Considerations • Watch the “why” for more money

• Educate about urgency

• Communicate good money management

• Improve and communicate parent involvement infrastructure

• Don’t forget “the basics” and “civility”

• Watch your spokes person


11) Advocacy Considerations

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The Public Opinion Climate in Washington for Education Reform November 2009

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