All Poll Results

With only two states winning grants from the first round of Race to Top applications, should your state still apply for the second round?

87 total responses

• Yes
• 49% (43)

• No
• 50% (44)

Who feels the worse effects of gender bias in your school system?

68 total responses

• Girls.
• 35% (24)

• Boys.
• 33% (23)

• Our school has no bias.
• 30% (21)

What receives more attention in your district?

50 total responses

• Teacher improvement
• 58% (29)

• Administrator improvement
• 12% (6)

• Neither
• 30% (15)

Would you hire a former religious school leader to run your state's public school system?

119 total responses

• Yes
• 23% (28)

• No
• 29% (35)

• If it's the right candidate
• 47% (56)

Do you support merit pay for teachers?

137 total responses

• Yes
• 48% (66)

• No
• 51% (71)

How old is too old to read aloud to your students?

194 total responses

• 5th grade
• 4% (9)

• 8th grade
• 5% (11)

• 11th grade
• 3% (6)

• They're never too old
• 86% (168)

Who has the most ability to transform schools?

46 total responses

• Administrators
• 39% (18)

• Teachers
• 50% (23)

• Students
• 10% (5)

Community service opportunities in school should be:

55 total responses

• Offered as an elective course
• 25% (14)

• Offered as extra-curricular activities
• 30% (17)

• Mandated as a graduation requirement
• 43% (24)

Is the PTA representing parents' best interests by supporting common standards?

28 total responses

• Yes
• 60% (17)

• No
• 39% (11)

In a budget crunch, which would you cut first?

129 total responses

• Gifted Programs
• 34% (45)

• Arts and Music
• 7% (10)

• Athletics
• 52% (68)

• Special Education
• 4% (6)

Rising standardized test scores in your school are usually the result of:

69 total responses

• Better teaching
• 59% (41)

• Lower standards
• 24% (17)

• Foul play
• 15% (11)

Is it OK to for states to steer some students toward vocational degrees and away from college?

110 total responses

• Yes
• 71% (79)

• No
• 28% (31)

Standards in your state have:

65 total responses

• Gotten harder
• 52% (34)

• Gotten easier
• 23% (15)

• Stayed the same
• 24% (16)

Study Finds 40% of Teachers ‘Disheartened.’ Are You One of Them?

85 total responses

• Yes
• 55% (47)

• No
• 44% (38)

Would you lead an in-class activity praising the president?

88 total responses

• Sure, presidents deserve our respect.
• 39% (35)

• No, it’s a violation of students’ rights.
• 44% (39)

• It depends on the president’s record.
• 15% (14)

How do you view the current level of school-related violence?

61 total responses

• It's terrible and a problem everywhere.
• 42% (26)

• It's sad, but my school is safe.
• 21% (13)

• It's overblown by the media.
• 36% (22)

A shorter summer break at my school would give us time to:

79 total responses

• Finally teach the whole curriculum
• 54% (43)

• Switch jobs – I need my vacation
• 45% (36)

Teaching cursive handwriting in schools is:

147 total responses

• Necessary
• 64% (95)

• Outdated
• 35% (52)

How effective are bullying laws at deterring violence in your school?

33 total responses

• Very effective
• 9% (3)

• Somewhat effective
• 21% (7)

• Not effective
• 69% (23)

Will your school show President Obama’s speech to students Tuesday?

32 total responses

• Yes.
• 31% (10)

• Yes, but students can opt out.
• 31% (10)

• No, it conflicts with our schedule.
• 12% (4)

• No, we find it objectionable.
• 3% (1)

• It's up to each teacher.
• 21% (7)

The requirements state school systems must meet to receive Federal Stimulus money are:

32 total responses

• On target
• 28% (9)

• Too vague
• 6% (2)

• Too broad
• 6% (2)

• Out of touch
• 59% (19)

Public support for President Obama’s education agenda is a sign of:

85 total responses

• Sound policy
• 25% (22)

• A popular president
• 24% (21)

• An uninformed public
• 42% (36)

• None of the above
• 7% (6)

In today’s poor economic climate, do you think teachers should be offered annual raises?

91 total responses

• Yes
• 64% (59)

• No
• 19% (18)

• When things turn around
• 15% (14)

Should student test scores be a factor in teacher evaluations as is required under the new Race to the Top fund guidelines?

220 total responses

• Yes, it should be the main factor
• 11% (26)

• Yes, it should be one of many factors
• 39% (86)

• No, it should not be a factor
• 49% (108)

What ‘cuts’ should come first during times of financial crisis?

98 total responses

• Teachers and/or teacher pay
• 12% (12)

• Number of school days
• 46% (46)

• Arts and Sports
• 40% (40)

What do you think is the best solution for improving the nation’s lowest performing schools?

110 total responses

• More access to charter schools
• 15% (17)

• Performance pay
• 16% (18)

• Common standards and practices
• 68% (75)

Should students be using smart phones and other mobile computing devices as part of the curriculum

110 total responses

• Yes
• 51% (57)

• No
• 48% (53)

The prospect of “common standards” is becoming more tangible than ever. Is that good, or even realistic?

116 total responses

• It’s a great idea.
• 48% (56)

• It’s a good idea in theory.
• 35% (41)

• It’s a bad idea.
• 16% (19)

Are you pleased with President Obama’s decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court?

146 total responses

• Yes
• 65% (95)

• No
• 34% (51)

Do you support President Obama’s call to quintuple federal funding for teacher pay-for-performance programs in next year’s budget?

166 total responses

• Yes
• 49% (82)

• No
• 50% (84)

How would you characterize the actions of public officials in closing schools because of the swine flu?

126 total responses

• Appropriately cautious
• 35% (45)

• Overly cautious
• 62% (79)

• Not cautious enough
• 1% (2)

Do you support state policies that require students to pass an exit exam to graduate from high school?

121 total responses

• Yes
• 60% (73)

• No
• 39% (48)

Should states enact policies to prohibit school officials from conducting strip-searches of students?

65 total responses

• Yes
• 69% (45)

• No
• 30% (20)

Do you agree with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s call for schools to extend the length of the school day and year?

173 total responses

• Yes
• 56% (97)

• No
• 43% (76)

Should more mayors take control of school districts?

81 total responses

• Yes
• 24% (20)

• No
• 75% (61)

Should the United States increase its participation in international efforts to compare student achievement and other educational measures across countries?

102 total responses

• Yes
• 75% (77)

• No
• 24% (25)

Is online education for K-12 students more cost-effective than face-to-face classes?

75 total responses

• Yes
• 36% (27)

• No
• 64% (48)

Should the federal government continue to fund the private-school-voucher program for low-income students in the District of Columbia?

93 total responses

• Yes
• 54% (51)

• No
• 45% (42)

Should all states embrace a set of common, national standards for public schools?

155 total responses

• Yes
• 80% (124)

• No
• 20% (31)

Do you support or oppose President Obama’s call to “expand our commitment to charter schools” in his Feb. 24 address to Congress?

130 total responses

• Support
• 60% (78)

• Oppose
• 40% (52)

Do you support or oppose "last hired, first fired" layoff policies for teachers?

218 total responses

• Support
• 44% (97)

• Oppose
• 55% (121)

Should the increased level of federal funding for education in the stimulus legislation become a permanent part of the nation's school funding equation?

59 total responses

• Yes
• 76% (45)

• No
• 23% (14)

The Senate stimulus plan would spend $80 billion on education, while the House version would spend $140 billion. How much do you think is appropriate?

71 total responses

• $0
• 16% (12)

• $40 billion
• 4% (3)

• $80 billion
• 11% (8)

• $140 billion
• 67% (48)

Should all teachers, especially those in urban classrooms, be trained in ELL instruction?

283 total responses

• Yes
• 74% (212)

• No
• 25% (71)

Do you think children can learn better in gender-specific classrooms?

134 total responses

• Yes
• 65% (88)

• No
• 34% (46)

Are you satisfied with president-elect Barack Obama's choice of Arne Duncan as education secretary?

122 total responses

• Yes
• 68% (84)

• No
• 31% (38)

Should the federal government bail out school districts that are struggling to make ends meet?

84 total responses

• Yes
• 65% (55)

• No
• 34% (29)

Is it a good idea for budget-squeezed school districts to cut down the number of school days?

122 total responses

• Yes
• 31% (38)

• No
• 68% (84)

Are online grading systems, that allow parents to check their children’s grades year-round, a good idea?

137 total responses

• Yes
• 80% (110)

• No
• 19% (27)

Is it a good idea for 8th graders to take a “pre-, pre-SAT?”

143 total responses

• Yes
• 54% (78)

• No
• 45% (65)

Do you believe that children's "giftedness" can change over time?

143 total responses

• Yes
• 90% (129)

• No
• 9% (14)

Should teachers be allowed to wear political campaign buttons in class?

260 total responses

• Yes
• 30% (79)

• No
• 69% (181)

Should states look to gambling revenue as a source of funding for K-12 schools?

115 total responses

• Yes
• 66% (77)

• No
• 33% (38)

Has the current financial crisis already had an impact in your school district?

108 total responses

• Yes
• 89% (97)

• No
• 10% (11)

Would your community welcome a longer school day?

192 total responses

• Yes
• 72% (139)

• No
• 27% (53)

Is it acceptable for online academies to hire overseas companies to help teachers evaluate student work?

183 total responses

• Yes
• 9% (17)

• No
• 90% (166)

Should teachers be permitted to carry guns in school?

598 total responses

• Yes
• 83% (497)

• No
• 16% (101)

Which college-entrance exam is more common in your district?

67 total responses

• SAT
• 65% (44)

• ACT
• 34% (23)

Should teachers’ pay be based on their students’ performance?

172 total responses

• Yes
• 23% (40)

• No
• 76% (132)

Should all 8th graders be required to take Algebra?

119 total responses

• Yes
• 59% (71)

• No
• 40% (48)

Are teacher tenure policies in need of an overhaul?

139 total responses

• Yes
• 85% (119)

• No
• 14% (20)

Should students' schools be notified if they test positive for HIV?

215 total responses

• yes
• 77% (166)

• no
• 22% (49)

If elected president, which man would promote the best education policies: Barack Obama or John McCain?

279 total responses

• John McCain
• 27% (76)

• Barack Obama
• 72% (203)

Do you think the childhood-obesity epidemic has been overblown?

160 total responses

• yes
• 25% (40)

• no
• 75% (120)

Is there a ‘boys crisis’ in education?

85 total responses

• yes
• 47% (40)

• no
• 52% (45)

Should superintendents' jobs rest on whether they improve students' academic performance?

165 total responses

• yes
• 52% (87)

• no
• 47% (78)

Is the trend toward delivery of education online a positive development?

131 total responses

• yes
• 66% (87)

• no
• 33% (44)

Should teachers be required to present theories that are critical of evolution?

206 total responses

• yes
• 56% (116)

• no
• 43% (90)

Do you approve of the changes the Bush administration proposed this week to the No Child Left Behind law?

72 total responses

• yes
• 43% (31)

• no
• 56% (41)

Are school districts doing a good job of grooming future principals?

105 total responses

• yes
• 10% (11)

• no
• 89% (94)

How important is it to teach Internet safety to students?

128 total responses

• Very important
• 89% (115)

• Moderately important
• 7% (10)

• Not very important
• 2% (3)

Are school districts doing enough to improve high school graduation rates?

112 total responses

• Yes
• 16% (18)

• No
• 83% (94)

How do charter schools compare to traditional public schools in raising student achievement?

143 total responses

• Better
• 27% (40)

• Worse
• 30% (43)

• About the same
• 41% (60)

Are U.S. middle schools doing a good job of motivating students to excel academically?

123 total responses

• Yes
• 16% (20)

• No
• 83% (103)

Should school officials use social-networking sites to monitor student behavior?

86 total responses

• Yes
• 44% (38)

• No
• 55% (48)

Do you support performance-based pay for teachers?

172 total responses

• Yes
• 55% (95)

• No
• 44% (77)

Which Democratic candidate for president do you think would do a better job handling education issues?

241 total responses

• Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
• 46% (111)

• Sen. Barack Obama
• 53% (130)

Do U.S. schoolchildren do too much, not enough, or the right amount of homework?

161 total responses

• Too much
• 33% (54)

• Not enough
• 50% (82)

• The right amount
• 15% (25)

Should schools offer cash rewards to students as an incentive for improved academic performance?

230 total responses

• Yes
• 18% (43)

• No
• 81% (187)

Are you willing to pay higher taxes to increase spending for K-12 schools?

156 total responses

• Yes
• 62% (97)

• No
• 37% (59)

Can students get a high-quality education by attending "virtual" schools?

176 total responses

• Yes
• 36% (65)

• No
• 63% (111)

Should all governors have the authority to select their state schools chiefs?

115 total responses

• Yes
• 28% (33)

• No
• 71% (82)

Do you support phasing out middle schools in favor of the K-8 model?

362 total responses

• Yes
• 39% (142)

• No
• 60% (220)

Do U.S. students spend enough time and effort on academics in high school?

338 total responses

• Yes
• 14% (48)

• No
• 85% (290)

Should school districts be allowed to charge parents for full-day kindergarten?

138 total responses

• Yes
• 21% (29)

• No
• 78% (109)

Do you think the quality of teachers has improved over the past decade?

104 total responses

• Yes
• 52% (55)

• No
• 47% (49)

Do you support performance-based pay for school principals?

296 total responses

• Yes
• 75% (224)

• No
• 24% (72)

Should all school buses be required to have seat belts?

194 total responses

• Yes
• 82% (161)

• No
• 17% (33)

Is education the biggest issue facing the country's next president?

182 total responses

• Yes
• 34% (63)

• No
• 65% (119)

Are schools doing enough to encourage students to develop a lifelong love of reading?

144 total responses

• Yes
• 43% (62)

• No
• 56% (82)

Should students be barred from having cellphones in classrooms?

289 total responses

• Yes
• 79% (231)

• No
• 20% (58)

If students had access to birth control at school, would teen pregnancy rates decline?

219 total responses

• Yes
• 56% (123)

• No
• 43% (96)

Does the news media do a good job covering education?

154 total responses

• Yes
• 11% (18)

• No
• 88% (136)

Is sex abuse of students by teachers a big problem in schools?

177 total responses

• Yes
• 45% (81)

• No
• 54% (96)

Should students be able to use calculators in the classroom?

270 total responses

• Yes
• 77% (209)

• No
• 22% (61)

Is your district's financial health getting better or worse?

82 total responses

• better
• 24% (20)

• worse
• 75% (62)

Is racial tension growing in schools?

171 total responses

• Yes
• 66% (113)

• No
• 33% (58)

Is mayoral control of local school boards a good idea?

147 total responses

• Yes
• 21% (32)

• No
• 78% (115)

Should schools switch from using print textbooks to digital textbooks?

382 total responses

• Yes
• 33% (128)

• No
• 66% (254)

Should high schools be able to share more student health and discipline information with colleges?

348 total responses

• Yes
• 55% (192)

• No
• 44% (156)

Should states post teacher misconduct records on the Internet?

409 total responses

• Yes
• 42% (173)

• No
• 57% (236)

Should after school programs be:

214 total responses

• Mostly academic
• 6% (13)

• Mostly recreational
• 13% (28)

• A mix of academics and recreation
• 80% (173)

How effective are school report cards at keeping parents informed of their school's performance?

188 total responses

• Very effective
• 23% (45)

• Somewhat effective
• 42% (80)

• Not very effective
• 33% (63)

Teachers who earn national board certification should:

304 total responses

• Get a salary increase
• 79% (243)

• Receive a one-time bonus
• 11% (36)

• Not be given additional compensation
• 8% (25)

State- or district-sponsored preschool programs:

255 total responses

• Should be available for all children.
• 70% (180)

• Should be available for high-needs children.
• 17% (44)

• Should not be a funding priority.
• 12% (31)

How important is it for the U.S. to participate in international tests?

173 total responses

• Very
• 59% (103)

• Somewhat
• 22% (39)

• Not very
• 17% (31)

Should the sale of carbonated beverages be banned in schools?

335 total responses

• Yes
• 68% (230)

• No
• 31% (105)

Should students be offered cash incentives to get good grades?

320 total responses

• Yes
• 24% (77)

• No
• 75% (243)

Is steroid testing of high school athletes necessary?

185 total responses

• yes
• 78% (146)

• no
• 21% (39)

Are teacher unions changing fast enough to meet the new demands of today's public schools?

267 total responses

• yes
• 36% (97)

• no
• 63% (170)

Do single-gender classes help improve student behavior?

372 total responses

• yes
• 69% (258)

• no
• 30% (114)

Are today's students getting the education they will need to be employable in the future?

480 total responses

• yes
• 21% (104)

• no
• 78% (376)

Is student cheating a growing problem in public schools?

451 total responses

• yes
• 80% (365)

• no
• 19% (86)

Are the presidential candidates spending enough time talking about education?

416 total responses

• yes
• 5% (23)

• no
• 94% (393)

Should students be given more freedom to express their religious views in public schools?

319 total responses

• yes
• 59% (190)

• no
• 40% (129)

Has the NCLB law's focus on reading helped improve student performance in history and civics?

188 total responses

• yes
• 17% (33)

• no
• 82% (155)

Should special education students be required to pass high school exit exams to graduate?

448 total responses

• yes
• 35% (160)

• no
• 64% (288)

The quality of education research is generally poor to mediocre.

218 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 25% (55)

• Agree.
• 41% (91)

• Disagree.
• 26% (58)

• Strongly disagree.
• 6% (14)

Improving math and science instruction should be the top priority for K-12 schools.

360 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 41% (150)

• Agree.
• 25% (92)

• Disagree.
• 24% (89)

• Strongly disagree.
• 8% (29)

The meaning of "proficiency" under NCLB is unclear because there are 50 different state definitions of the term.

332 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 77% (258)

• Agree.
• 18% (63)

• Disagree.
• 2% (7)

• Strongly disagree.
• 1% (4)

Sexual-abstinence education programs are not effective.

399 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 50% (203)

• Agree.
• 24% (96)

• Disagree.
• 12% (48)

• Strongly disagree.
• 13% (52)

School programs for gifted children should be opened up to a larger percentage of students.

544 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 41% (228)

• Agree.
• 25% (136)

• Disagree.
• 18% (102)

• Strongly disagree.
• 14% (78)

Most high school students are not motivated to do their best.

495 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 41% (204)

• Agree.
• 39% (195)

• Disagree.
• 16% (81)

• Strongly disagree.
• 3% (15)

Preschool teachers should be required to have a bachelor's degree.

803 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 59% (479)

• Agree.
• 21% (175)

• Disagree.
• 14% (116)

• Strongly disagree.
• 4% (33)

To raise student achievement, low-performing schools need to be given more regulatory autonomy.

400 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 38% (154)

• Agree.
• 31% (127)

• Disagree.
• 18% (72)

• Strongly disagree.
• 11% (47)

The poor quality of professional development workshops for educators often makes them a waste of time and money.

375 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 49% (184)

• Agree.
• 36% (136)

• Disagree.
• 10% (41)

• Strongly disagree.
• 3% (14)

Teachers should be notified when juvenile sex offenders are enrolled in their classes.

597 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 78% (470)

• Agree.
• 15% (93)

• Disagree.
• 4% (24)

• Strongly disagree.
• 1% (10)

Science education in U.S. schools is poor to mediocre.

327 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 37% (123)

• Agree.
• 39% (130)

• Disagree.
• 17% (57)

• Strongly disagree.
• 5% (17)

NCLB reauthorization should be delayed.

452 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 55% (252)

• Agree.
• 14% (65)

• Disagree.
• 10% (46)

• Strongly disagree.
• 19% (89)

Utah's plan to offer a statewide school voucher program is a good idea.

635 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 64% (411)

• Agree.
• 7% (48)

• Disagree.
• 7% (50)

• Strongly disagree.
• 19% (126)

Elected school boards are less effective than appointed boards.

265 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 24% (65)

• Agree.
• 16% (45)

• Disagree.
• 32% (85)

• Strongly disagree.
• 26% (70)

Democratic majorities in Congress will give teachers' unions more power to influence federal education policy.

293 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 29% (85)

• Agree.
• 39% (115)

• Disagree.
• 21% (64)

• Strongly disagree.
• 9% (29)

Schools should consider offering K-12 students financial rewards for their academic performance.

861 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 13% (120)

• Agree.
• 12% (110)

• Disagree.
• 27% (241)

• Strongly disagree.
• 45% (390)

Bilingual education is an effective way to teach English-language learners how to read.

560 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 37% (211)

• Agree.
• 25% (140)

• Disagree.
• 17% (100)

• Strongly disagree.
• 19% (109)

Schools emphasize reading and math at the expense of other subjects.

173 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 45% (78)

• Agree.
• 26% (46)

• Disagree.
• 19% (33)

• Strongly disagree.
• 9% (16)

The U.S. education system needs a top-to-bottom overhaul to better prepare students for a global economy.

278 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 58% (164)

• Agree.
• 19% (53)

• Disagree.
• 15% (42)

• Strongly disagree.
• 6% (19)

The U.S. should establish national academic standards for K-12 public schools.

262 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 41% (109)

• Agree.
• 20% (55)

• Disagree.
• 17% (45)

• Strongly disagree.
• 20% (53)

Districts should consider race as a "tipping factor" when assigning students to schools.

135 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 20% (27)

• Agree.
• 22% (31)

• Disagree.
• 28% (38)

• Strongly disagree.
• 28% (39)

How realistic is the No Child Left Behind Act requirement that all students be "proficient" by 2014?

330 total responses

• Very
• 5% (18)

• Somewhat
• 11% (39)

• Not at all
• 82% (273)

Single-sex classrooms aid in boosting student achievement.

208 total responses

• Strongly agree.
• 27% (58)

• Agree.
• 40% (84)

• Disagree.
• 31% (66)

Will the election results have a positive or negative impact on K-12 education?

338 total responses

• Negative
• 14% (50)

• Positive
• 61% (209)

• No difference
• 23% (79)

Which political party would better serve education in the U.S.?

564 total responses

• Democrats
• 62% (353)

• Republicans
• 17% (100)

• Independents
• 7% (44)

• No difference
• 11% (67)

What measures has your school taken to promote healthy eating?

71 total responses

• Removed vending machines.
• 22% (16)

• Stock healthy snacks in vending machines.
• 35% (25)

• Use low-fat substitutes in lunches.
• 16% (12)

• Nothing.
• 25% (18)

Social networking sites for schools:

74 total responses

• Are a great idea.
• 13% (10)

• Can be helpful if designed correctly.
• 47% (35)

• Just one more distraction.
• 25% (19)

• Should be blocked.
• 13% (10)

How safe do you feel your school is against intruders?

172 total responses

• Very
• 19% (33)

• Somewhat
• 22% (39)

• Could be better
• 30% (53)

• Not at all
• 27% (47)

Educators who teach in troubled schools should get higher salaries than their colleagues in other schools.

324 total responses

• Strongly agree
• 53% (172)

• Agree
• 33% (108)

• Disagree
• 13% (44)

How supportive are you of states requiring that all high school students take the SAT or ACT?

170 total responses

• Very
• 35% (60)

• Somewhat
• 15% (27)

• Not at all
• 48% (83)

How controversial is teaching about 9/11 in your school?

125 total responses

• Extremely
• 5% (7)

• Very
• 4% (5)

• Somewhat
• 15% (19)

• Not at all
• 70% (88)

• We shouldn't be teaching about it.
• 4% (6)