Does your school have a social media policy for staff/teachers?

13 total responses

• Yes.
• 38% (5)

• No.
• 61% (8)

Is it OK to announce the test scores of your students as a way to motivate them?

58 total responses

• Yes.
• 17% (10)

• No.
• 82% (48)

Do you believe teachers’ unions sometimes protect ineffective teachers who deserve to be fired?

67 total responses

• Yes.
• 82% (55)

• No.
• 17% (12)

Should schools be allowed to fire teachers based on test-score results?

67 total responses

• Yes.
• 13% (9)

• No.
• 86% (58)

Are you optimistic about RTI in your school?

42 total responses

• Yes.
• 45% (19)

• No.
• 35% (15)

• What's RTI?
• 19% (8)

How would you rate your principal in providing useful feedback to teachers?

45 total responses

• Excellent.
• 15% (7)

• Good.
• 28% (13)

• Poor.
• 33% (15)

• What feedback?
• 22% (10)

Is a zero-tolerance weapons policy necessary in an elementary school?

44 total responses

• Yes.
• 47% (21)

• No.
• 52% (23)

Is your school set up for you to teach online should the H1N1 flu virus close it down?

24 total responses

• Yes.
• 16% (4)

• No.
• 83% (20)

How are you feeling about your year so far?

41 total responses

• Excited.
• 19% (8)

• Hopeful.
• 34% (14)

• A day at a time.
• 39% (16)

• Don't ask.
• 7% (3)

What is your impression of online professional development?

23 total responses

• It's transformative.
• 26% (6)

• It's pretty good.
• 34% (8)

• It's nothing special.
• 30% (7)

• It's lame.
• 8% (2)

Is it fair to link teacher evaluations to student test scores?

43 total responses

• Yes.
• 18% (8)

• No.
• 81% (35)

What did you think of the president’s back-to-school speech?

73 total responses

• Excellent.
• 64% (47)

• Good.
• 12% (9)

• Poor.
• 4% (3)

• Fair.
• 0% (0)

• Ill-advised.
• 8% (6)

• Didn't watch.
• 10% (8)

Do you feel your school is prepared to handle the swine flu?

13 total responses

• Yes.
• 38% (5)

• No.
• 61% (8)

How much do you anticipate personally spending this year on school supplies?

37 total responses

• $300 or more.
• 59% (22)

• $100-299.
• 29% (11)

• $1-99.
• 2% (1)

• I refuse to pay for supplies.
• 8% (3)

Are you in favor of national standards?

27 total responses

• Yes.
• 48% (13)

• No.
• 51% (14)

Are you prepared for the start of the school year?

33 total responses

• Yes.
• 24% (8)

• Almost.
• 39% (13)

• No.
• 36% (12)

What is the best measure of a teacher’s success in the classroom?

50 total responses

• Administrator Evaluation.
• 10% (5)

• Peer Evaluation.
• 32% (16)

• Student Test Scores.
• 26% (13)

• Professional Engagement.
• 32% (16)

Is giving students homework or reading goals over summer vacation effective?

50 total responses

• Yes.
• 62% (31)

• No.
• 38% (19)

Have you ever felt that you’ve lowered the quality of your instruction in order to prepare kids for a standardized test?

37 total responses

• Yes.
• 81% (30)

• No.
• 18% (7)

Should schools allow parents to have input in selecting teachers for their kids?

42 total responses

• Yes.
• 59% (25)

• No.
• 40% (17)

Is peer review an effective way to assist struggling teachers and weed out those who are underperforming?

23 total responses

• Yes.
• 82% (19)

• No.
• 17% (4)

How do you feel about cellphones as an instructional tool?

40 total responses

• Great idea.
• 27% (11)

• Terrible idea.
• 60% (24)

• We’re already using them.
• 12% (5)

Would you be open to using open-source digital textbooks instead of copyrighted, printed books?

31 total responses

• Yes.
• 83% (26)

• No.
• 16% (5)

Would you be able willing to work longer hours and take on admin duties, without a contract, for a $125,000 per year teaching position?

44 total responses

• Yes.
• 61% (27)

• No.
• 38% (17)

Are administrators too lenient in their teacher evaluations?

24 total responses

• Yes.
• 66% (16)

• No.
• 33% (8)

Should the school year be extended?

62 total responses

• Yes.
• 35% (22)

• No.
• 64% (40)

Does your school or district block Internet access to information that would help you professionally?

40 total responses

• Yes.
• 97% (39)

• No.
• 2% (1)

Are you using social networking sites to collaborate with colleagues?

22 total responses

• Yes.
• 31% (7)

• No.
• 40% (9)

• I would, but I don't have access from school.
• 27% (6)

What is your opinion of online professional development?

27 total responses

• I like it.
• 33% (9)

• It's OK.
• 40% (11)

• I hate it.
• 14% (4)

• I've never experienced it.
• 11% (3)

How concerned are you about an outbreak of swine flu at your school?

36 total responses

• Extremely concerned.
• 8% (3)

• Concerned.
• 16% (6)

• Mildly concerned.
• 33% (12)

• Not concerned at all.
• 41% (15)

Are teachers at your school too competitive about student testing?

26 total responses

• Yes.
• 30% (8)

• No.
• 69% (18)

Do you support initiatives aimed at encouraging parents to opt out of standardized tests?

29 total responses

• Yes.
• 65% (19)

• No.
• 34% (10)

Do you expect to be teaching five years from now?

68 total responses

• No, I’m retiring.
• 14% (10)

• No, I want to do something else.
• 19% (13)

• No, I plan to be an administrator.
• 10% (7)

• Yes, I’ll be teaching.
• 55% (38)

What do you think holds teachers back from applying for grants?

43 total responses

• Lack of time.
• 58% (25)

• Lack of information.
• 32% (14)

• Too competitive.
• 4% (2)

• Just not interested.
• 4% (2)

Is it OK for teachers to "friend" students on Facebook?

168 total responses

• Yes.
• 12% (21)

• No.
• 66% (111)

• In certain cases.
• 21% (36)

How has the recession affected professional development in your school or district?

25 total responses

• We've gotten more creative.
• 24% (6)

• We've had to cut back on pd opportunities.
• 64% (16)

• My school or district no longer offers pd.
• 12% (3)

How should teacher layoffs be determined?

72 total responses

• Seniority.
• 30% (22)

• Student-achievement data.
• 8% (6)

• Salary-levels.
• 1% (1)

• Performance evaluations.
• 59% (43)

Should states make a greater investment in alternative-certification programs?

34 total responses

• Yes.
• 70% (24)

• No.
• 29% (10)

Are you worried you will be laid off next year?

50 total responses

• Yes.
• 48% (24)

• No.
• 52% (26)

Do teachers have an obligation to set an example for students in their eating habits?

69 total responses

• Yes.
• 71% (49)

• No.
• 28% (20)

Where is the stimulus money most needed in your school?

38 total responses

• Books and materials.
• 21% (8)

• Infrastructure/construction.
• 15% (6)

• Professional development.
• 21% (8)

• Teacher salaries.
• 42% (16)

If your school or district offered you a buyout package, would you accept?

60 total responses

• Yes.
• 70% (42)

• No.
• 30% (18)

Have you noticed a rise in the number of students with autism in your school?

23 total responses

• Yes.
• 78% (18)

• No.
• 21% (5)

How did your school commemorate the inauguration?

41 total responses

• Students watched during class.
• 51% (21)

• We held a school-wide assembly.
• 12% (5)

• Teachers incorporated it into their lesson plans.
• 7% (3)

• Our school was not open.
• 17% (7)

• Our school did not commemorate the day.
• 12% (5)

Are your students interested in the presidential inauguration?

32 total responses

• Yes
• 84% (27)

• No
• 15% (5)

How has the recession affected you?

32 total responses

• I have more students.
• 21% (7)

• I am working for less pay.
• 15% (5)

• I have to get a second job.
• 21% (7)

• All of the above.
• 9% (3)

• I have not been affected.
• 31% (10)

How much time will you spend planning for the next semester during your winter vacation?

15 total responses

• None.
• 13% (2)

• 1-5 hours.
• 26% (4)

• 5-10 hours.
• 33% (5)

• 10-20 hours.
• 13% (2)

• 20+ hours.
• 13% (2)

Do you think public school students should be allowed to sing Christmas songs at school holiday concerts?

302 total responses

• Yes, they should be able to sing any kind of holiday song.
• 79% (241)

• Only if they also sing songs from other religions.
• 12% (38)

• Only if the songs aren’t overtly religious.
• 4% (15)

• No, never.
• 2% (8)

How would you describe the role teachers have in leading or collaborating on professional development in your school?

543 total responses

• Extensive
• 83% (451)

• Modest
• 6% (33)

• Minimal
• 5% (32)

• Nonexistent
• 4% (27)

In your opinion, does your school use teacher professional development funds effectively?

95 total responses

• Yes.
• 22% (21)

• No.
• 77% (74)

Do you feel comfortable with your content knowledge of the subject(s) you teach?

32 total responses

• Yes
• 96% (31)

• No
• 3% (1)

Should teachers be allowed to wear jeans to work?

107 total responses

• Yes
• 71% (77)

• No
• 28% (30)

What kind of school should President-elect Obama’s children attend?

62 total responses

• Private.
• 62% (39)

• Public.
• 37% (23)

Are you concerned about your retirement plan?

39 total responses

• Yes.
• 89% (35)

• No.
• 10% (4)

Should presidential Election Day be a national holiday on which all schools are closed?

73 total responses

• Yes.
• 76% (56)

• No.
• 23% (17)

Who will you vote for on Nov. 4th?

184 total responses

• John McCain
• 32% (60)

• Barack Obama
• 63% (117)

• Third Party Candidate
• 1% (2)

• Undecided
• 1% (3)

• Not Voting
• 1% (2)

What’s the first education initiative the next president should undertake?

66 total responses

• Fix NCLB.
• 19% (13)

• Kill NCLB.
• 31% (21)

• Increase funding for schools.
• 21% (14)

• Increase school choice.
• 4% (3)

• Increase teacher pay.
• 18% (12)

• None of the above.
• 4% (3)

Should teachers be allowed to show their support for a presidential candidate in school?

74 total responses

• Yes.
• 43% (32)

• No.
• 56% (42)

Which group, as a teacher, are you more concerned about academically:

65 total responses

• Boys.
• 67% (44)

• Girls.
• 4% (3)

• Neither.
• 27% (18)

Does being a teacher affect your sleep habits?

89 total responses

• Yes.
• 92% (82)

• No.
• 7% (7)

Should school districts find ways to incorporate gaming into the classroom given the recent research that reveals it can encourage civic engagement?

32 total responses

• Yes.
• 50% (16)

• No.
• 50% (16)

Would paying teachers of high-need subjects at a higher rate than others result in staff infighting or morale problems?

106 total responses

• Yes
• 75% (80)

• No
• 24% (26)

Did you start the year with everything you needed for your classroom?

49 total responses

• Yes
• 32% (16)

• No
• 67% (33)

How are you feeling about the start of the school year?

73 total responses

• Excited.
• 47% (35)

• Nervous.
• 27% (20)

• Unhappy.
• 15% (11)

• Indifferent.
• 9% (7)

Are you in favor of online learning for K-12 students?

65 total responses

• Yes.
• 58% (38)

• No.
• 41% (27)

Are you in favor of drug testing teachers?

102 total responses

• Yes.
• 65% (67)

• No.
• 34% (35)

Should parents be able to choose their child’s teacher?

110 total responses

• Yes.
• 34% (38)

• No.
• 65% (72)

Are you in favor of corporal punishment at school?

84 total responses

• Yes, at teachers’ discretion.
• 4% (4)

• Yes, provided parent/guardian grants permission.
• 26% (22)

• No, under any circumstances.
• 69% (58)

How much does parental irresponsibility contribute to poor achievement in your school?

87 total responses

• A great deal.
• 80% (70)

• Moderately.
• 17% (15)

• Minimally.
• 2% (2)

• Not at all.
• 0% (0)

Would you trade your tenure and seniority rights for a higher salary?

103 total responses

• Yes.
• 45% (47)

• No.
• 54% (56)

Who is benefiting most from NCLB?

129 total responses

• Department of Education
• 31% (40)

• Administrators
• 0% (1)

• Teachers
• 0% (1)

• Students
• 6% (9)

• Parents
• 0% (0)

• No One
• 60% (78)

How is your school district dealing with high gas prices?

19 total responses

• Changing bus routes.
• 10% (2)

• Offering gas stipends.
• 0% (0)

• School funding cutbacks.
• 52% (10)

• Encouraging carpooling, biking, or alternative transportation.
• 36% (7)

Are you using differentiated instruction in your classroom?

59 total responses

• Yes, and it’s working.
• 38% (23)

• Yes, with mixed results.
• 50% (30)

• No, I don’t need it.
• 3% (2)

• What’s differentiated instruction?
• 6% (4)

How would you rate your teaching this year?

58 total responses

• Above and beyond.
• 29% (17)

• Pretty good.
• 65% (38)

• Just enough to get by.
• 5% (3)

• I won’t be back.
• 0% (0)

What are your plans for the summer?

45 total responses

• Make money.
• 15% (7)

• Pursue PD activities.
• 42% (19)

• Get my head out of the classroom.
• 42% (19)

How would you rate your ed school?

22 total responses

• Excellent.
• 40% (9)

• Fair.
• 31% (7)

• Poor.
• 9% (2)

• Didn't go.
• 18% (4)

Do you see a racial gap in suspensions at your school?

36 total responses

• Yes.
• 55% (20)

• No.
• 44% (16)

Is Teach For America good for teaching?

42 total responses

• Yes.
• 61% (26)

• No.
• 38% (16)

How would you describe parent-teacher relations at your school?

53 total responses

• Collaborative
• 35% (19)

• Functional
• 30% (16)

• Difficult
• 22% (12)

• Nonexistent
• 11% (6)

Which is the more effective approach for dealing with bullies?

64 total responses

• Stressing punitive outcomes
• 39% (25)

• Teaching tolerance of others
• 60% (39)

How would you describe the actions of the Seattle science teacher who refused to administer a standardized test?

67 total responses

• Principled
• 37% (25)

• Heroic
• 19% (13)

• Naive
• 25% (17)

• Irresponsible
• 17% (12)

How important are education issues when you’re considering which presidential candidate to support?

43 total responses

• Top of the list.
• 55% (24)

• Moderately.
• 37% (16)

• Not at all.
• 6% (3)

How much do you worry about your students’ standardized test scores?

79 total responses

• Enough to cheat.
• 3% (3)

• A lot.
• 55% (44)

• Somewhat.
• 30% (24)

• Not at all.
• 10% (8)

Do you feel that teachers' unions generally represent your interests as a teacher?

59 total responses

• Yes.
• 59% (35)

• No.
• 40% (24)

How many students do you typically have in your classes?

121 total responses

• Less than 10
• 4% (5)

• 10 to 20
• 27% (33)

• 20 to 30
• 53% (65)

• 30 to 40
• 13% (16)

• More than 40
• 1% (2)

How many school days have you missed this year?

208 total responses

• 11 or more
• 6% (14)

• 6-10
• 14% (30)

• 1-5
• 55% (115)

• none
• 23% (49)

Are relations with students' parents a problem for you?

72 total responses

• Yes.
• 23% (17)

• No.
• 37% (27)

• Sometimes.
• 38% (28)

Are you in favor of single-sex classrooms?

154 total responses

• Yes, it’s a great idea.
• 51% (79)

• Possibly, under certain circumstances.
• 29% (46)

• No, it would not work.
• 18% (29)

How important are online professional networks for you as a teacher?

44 total responses

• I couldn't get by without them.
• 29% (13)

• They're pretty important.
• 27% (12)

• Nice to have but not earth-shattering.
• 27% (12)

• I don't participate in them.
• 15% (7)

After the recent spate of school shootings, who seems most concerned about safety?

62 total responses

• Teachers and Staff
• 22% (14)

• Parents
• 22% (14)

• Students
• 6% (4)

• All of the above
• 48% (30)

Do you find it difficult to make ends meet on your teaching salary?

216 total responses

• Yes, I have a second job.
• 32% (70)

• Yes, I plan to change careers.
• 9% (21)

• Yes, but I make do (or have a two-income household).
• 51% (111)

• No.
• 6% (14)

Who would you like to be president?

236 total responses

• Hillary Clinton
• 26% (63)

• Mike Huckabee
• 10% (24)

• John McCain
• 12% (29)

• Mitt Romney
• 4% (11)

• Barack Obama
• 46% (109)

Has your school successfully addressed student bullying?

55 total responses

• Yes.
• 21% (12)

• No.
• 67% (37)

• Bullying is not an issue at my school.
• 10% (6)

Are you discussing the presidential campaign in your school?

40 total responses

• Yes
• 67% (27)

• No
• 32% (13)

Does the professional development you receive generally match your needs as a teacher?

70 total responses

• Yes
• 24% (17)

• No
• 75% (53)

What do you see as the biggest obstacle to teacher career satisfaction?

146 total responses

• Salary
• 24% (36)

• Lack of empowerment from school/district
• 21% (32)

• Lack of advancement opportunities
• 6% (9)

• Unrealistic demands
• 47% (69)

Which of the following is most important to you in 2008?

81 total responses

• Helping my students meet progress or achievement goals.
• 46% (38)

• Increasing knowledge and skills through professional development.
• 16% (13)

• Creating a better work-life balance.
• 20% (17)

• Finding a job in a different school or profession.
• 16% (13)

Who is more distracted by the impending holidays?

22 total responses

• I am.
• 22% (5)

• My students are.
• 77% (17)

How important has professional development been for your career?

41 total responses

• Very
• 75% (31)

• Moderately
• 21% (9)

• Not at all
• 2% (1)

Are you for or against performance pay?

75 total responses

• For
• 56% (42)

• Against
• 44% (33)

Does your school encourage collaboration among teachers?

63 total responses

• Yes.
• 79% (50)

• No.
• 20% (13)

Do you feel adequately prepared to address the cultural differences in your classroom?

25 total responses

• Yes
• 56% (14)

• No
• 44% (11)

Do you have a social networking page like Facebook or MySpace?

53 total responses

• Yes, and I open it up to all students.
• 20% (11)

• Yes, but I do not accept any students as friends.
• 28% (15)

• Yes, but I place restrictions on which students I accept. (i.e. former students, over 18)
• 15% (8)

• No, I think it would be inappropriate.
• 35% (19)

Who should have the last word when classroom book selections come under fire?

74 total responses

• Parents
• 20% (15)

• Students
• 5% (4)

• Teachers
• 54% (40)

• Administrators
• 20% (15)

Do you think students should have access to birth control at schools?

134 total responses

• Yes, without restriction.
• 23% (32)

• Yes, with parental consent.
• 16% (22)

• Yes, over a certain age.
• 20% (28)

• No.
• 38% (52)

Are you in favor of a mandatory moment of silence at the start of the school day?

188 total responses

• Yes
• 47% (89)

• No
• 52% (99)

Does your school have adequate channels for reporting potentially dangerous students?

66 total responses

• Yes
• 31% (21)

• No
• 68% (45)

Was the controversy of Columbus Day addressed in your school or classroom?

116 total responses

• Yes
• 14% (17)

• No
• 31% (37)

• What controversy?
• 53% (62)

How big a problem is classroom management for you?

155 total responses

• Not a problem at all.
• 21% (33)

• It's an occasional issue.
• 50% (79)

• It's affecting my ability to teach.
• 21% (34)

• I'm at my wits' end.
• 5% (9)

How do you reward your students for doing good work?

181 total responses

• Prizes or treats
• 19% (36)

• Movies or special activities
• 5% (10)

• Praise or acknowledgement
• 66% (120)

• Rewards send the wrong message
• 8% (15)

Do you think that sports overshadows academics in your school or community?

171 total responses

• Yes.
• 70% (121)

• No.
• 29% (50)

Is there currently a shortage of teachers at your school?

182 total responses

• Yes.
• 47% (86)

• No.
• 52% (96)

Do you think schools should institute dress codes for teachers?

227 total responses

• Yes.
• 60% (138)

• No.
• 39% (89)

How much of your own money will you spend on classroom supplies this year?

155 total responses

• $0-$50
• 3% (6)

• $50-$250
• 30% (47)

• $250-$500
• 36% (56)

• $500 or higher
• 29% (46)

How involved are parents in your classroom?

93 total responses

• Not at all.
• 36% (34)

• Somewhat.
• 45% (42)

• A lot.
• 12% (12)

• They won't leave me alone!
• 5% (5)

Do you think principals should have the authority to change student grades?

258 total responses

• Yes
• 13% (35)

• No
• 86% (223)

The biggest problem with students bringing cell phones to school is:

259 total responses

• Ringing during class
• 10% (27)

• Students texting/talking during class
• 66% (172)

• Increased opportunities for cheating
• 13% (35)

• Phones are often stolen
• 4% (11)

• It doesn’t really bother me
• 5% (14)

Do you research your new students before the start of the school year?

152 total responses

• Yes.
• 46% (70)

• No.
• 53% (82)

Which type of incentive would be the most attractive to you in a job offer?

156 total responses

• Signing bonus
• 15% (24)

• Housing stipend
• 11% (18)

• Student loan forgiveness
• 42% (67)

• Tuition reimbursement
• 14% (23)

• Smaller or fewer classes
• 14% (23)

• None.
• 0% (1)

Which of the top 2008 presidential candidates would be best for education?

167 total responses

• Hillary Clinton
• 31% (52)

• John Edwards
• 9% (16)

• Rudy Giuliani
• 10% (18)

• John McCain
• 1% (2)

• Barack Obama
• 31% (52)

• Mitt Romney
• 7% (12)

• None
• 8% (15)

Should race be a factor in school-enrollment policies?

133 total responses

• Yes.
• 27% (36)

• No.
• 72% (97)

How much has NCLB changed your work in the classroom?

169 total responses

• Tremendously.
• 46% (79)

• A lot.
• 24% (42)

• To some degree.
• 19% (33)

• Not at all.
• 8% (15)

Would you like to see performance pay implemented in your school?

154 total responses

• Yes.
• 47% (73)

• No.
• 52% (81)

Should district and school administrators have extensive experience as teachers?

239 total responses

• Absolutely.
• 89% (215)

• Not Necessarily.
• 10% (24)

How often do you catch students cheating?

144 total responses

• Never.
• 4% (7)

• Once or twice a year.
• 35% (51)

• A couple times a month.
• 20% (30)

• Every week.
• 23% (34)

• I can't keep track.
• 15% (22)

How often does an administrator ask you for input on a school or course issue?

106 total responses

• At least once a week.
• 19% (21)

• About once a month.
• 16% (17)

• At some point during the school year.
• 26% (28)

• They never ask me anything.
• 37% (40)

How do you plan to spend the bulk of this summer?

156 total responses

• Teaching.
• 14% (22)

• Professional development/degree program.
• 37% (59)

• Working outside of education.
• 7% (12)

• Taking time off.
• 40% (63)

How effective are student test results as a measure of school success?

156 total responses

• Very effective.
• 7% (11)

• Somewhat effective.
• 30% (48)

• Minimally effective.
• 45% (71)

• Not at all effective.
• 16% (26)

How much influence do teachers have in decisionmaking at your school?

144 total responses

• A great deal.
• 9% (13)

• A fair amount.
• 26% (38)

• Very little.
• 49% (71)

• Zilch.
• 15% (22)

How well did your education school classes prepare you for teaching?

187 total responses

• Very well
• 17% (33)

• Pretty well
• 33% (63)

• Not well at all
• 48% (91)

Race relations in my school are:

92 total responses

• Excellent
• 17% (16)

• Good
• 39% (36)

• Fair
• 27% (25)

• Poor
• 16% (15)

Do you generally feel safe in your school?

140 total responses

• Yes.
• 74% (104)

• No.
• 25% (36)

How long do you expect your teaching career to be?

245 total responses

• 5 years.
• 11% (27)

• 10 years
• 15% (37)

• 20 years.
• 31% (78)

• They'll have to pry the chalk from my cold, dead fingers.
• 42% (103)

The worst thing about teaching is:

698 total responses

• Classroom management
• 17% (123)

• Testing pressures/curriculum constraints
• 34% (243)

• Lack of support from administrators
• 18% (129)

• The unpaid work time (grading, planning, etc.)
• 29% (203)

The best thing about being a teacher is:

236 total responses

• The community of other teachers
• 3% (9)

• The knowledge that I'm doing important work
• 36% (87)

• The benefits and job security
• 4% (10)

• The students
• 55% (130)

In the years ahead, I'd like to:

194 total responses

• Continue teaching.
• 32% (63)

• Become an administrator.
• 14% (28)

• Work as a curriculum coordinator, school consultant, or mentor.
• 29% (57)

• Get out of education altogether.
• 23% (46)

In comparison with other professions, do you think teachers are fairly compensated?

461 total responses

• Yes.
• 11% (54)

• No.
• 88% (407)

The best way to keep me in the teaching profession is:

329 total responses

• Reduce my class size.
• 25% (83)

• Pay me more.
• 41% (136)

• Provide more administrative support.
• 11% (38)

• Allow more room for creativity.
• 21% (72)

When it comes to teaching sex-ed in your school, the approach should be:

192 total responses

• Abstinence-only
• 9% (19)

• Comprehensive, including information about contraception and AIDS prevention
• 84% (163)

• Not to teach it, period
• 5% (10)

How much pressure do parents put on kids to excel in school?

104 total responses

• Too much
• 25% (27)

• Too little
• 74% (77)

In science classes, global warming:

211 total responses

• Should be taught as fact.
• 43% (92)

• Should be taught in conjunction with opposing views on the subject.
• 54% (115)

• Should not be taught at all.
• 1% (4)

Does your school's curriculum allow you enough instructional creativity?

147 total responses

• Yes
• 46% (68)

• No
• 53% (79)

When should students get started on career-oriented classes?

175 total responses

• It's never too soon.
• 39% (69)

• Middle school
• 36% (64)

• High school
• 18% (33)

• Wait 'till college.
• 5% (9)

How has No Child Left Behind affected your school's curriculum?

187 total responses

• Mostly negatively
• 66% (125)

• Mostly positively
• 19% (36)

• Not much at all
• 13% (26)

The curriculum I use was created by…

104 total responses

• District officials
• 30% (32)

• A committee of school colleagues
• 22% (23)

• Me (with outside resources and guidance)
• 35% (37)

• I have no idea.
• 11% (12)

If I were building my school's curriculum, I would increase the amount of time students spend on ...

170 total responses

• Math
• 12% (22)

• Reading and writing
• 38% (65)

• Arts
• 24% (42)

• Proper classroom behavior
• 24% (41)

How much unpaid time during your school's winter break will you use for lesson planning, grading, or curriculum development?

252 total responses

• 0-10 hours
• 26% (67)

• 11-15 hours
• 24% (62)

• 16-20 hours
• 18% (46)

• More than 20 hours
• 30% (77)

My favorite holiday gifts from students are:

149 total responses

• Trinkets or food items.
• 2% (4)

• Gift cards.
• 29% (44)

• Donations for class materials.
• 13% (20)

• Handmade cards and/or notes of appreciation.
• 54% (81)

Are traditionally certified teachers more effective than those with alternative certification or no certification?

306 total responses

• Yes
• 44% (137)

• No
• 55% (169)

Does your school provide adequate support/mentoring for new teachers?

97 total responses

• Yes.
• 27% (27)

• No.
• 72% (70)

How much say do you have in the types of professional development training you receive?

85 total responses

• I have wide latitude to decide for myself.
• 17% (15)

• I can choose from a limited number of options.
• 17% (15)

• I offer my input, but others decide.
• 18% (16)

• It's a top-down decision.
• 45% (39)

Professional development workshops are most useful when they are:

177 total responses

• Conducted by a visiting expert or consultant
• 33% (60)

• Led by an innovative colleague
• 55% (99)

• Done online (at the teacher's leisure)
• 10% (18)

Which best describes the last professional development workshop you attended?

213 total responses

• A valuable learning experience
• 37% (79)

• Somewhat helpful
• 26% (56)

• A waste of time
• 36% (78)

Why do you think the basic structure of most American schools has remained static for generations?

192 total responses

• That's what works best for children's learning.
• 6% (13)

• It's most convenient for teachers and administrators.
• 62% (120)

• Parents howl in protest over any little change.
• 30% (59)

What type of school would you most like to teach in:

202 total responses

• Traditional public.
• 54% (111)

• Charter.
• 17% (36)

• Independent/private.
• 21% (43)

• Parochial.
• 5% (12)

Which most closely reflects your view? Charter schools are:

231 total responses

• A financial and talent drain on regular public schools.
• 45% (104)

• Incubators of fresh ideas and promise, thanks to their independence.
• 37% (87)

• Not really different from regular public schools.
• 17% (40)

Do you think that homeschooling adequately prepares students for college and work?

203 total responses

• Yes.
• 26% (54)

• No.
• 73% (149)

How much do students benefit from homework?

275 total responses

• A great deal
• 28% (78)

• Some
• 42% (118)

• Very little
• 23% (64)

• Not at all
• 5% (15)

Has technology made teaching harder or easier?

210 total responses

• Harder
• 31% (66)

• Easier
• 68% (144)

How often do kids' cell phones and other gadgets disrupt your classroom?

181 total responses

• All the time
• 14% (27)

• Sometimes
• 25% (47)

• Infrequently
• 32% (59)

• Never
• 26% (48)

Which of the following Web tools do you use most for instruction?

85 total responses

• Wikis
• 8% (7)

• Blogs
• 11% (10)

• Podcasts
• 9% (8)

• None
• 70% (60)

How much technology training does your school or district give you?

265 total responses

• None to little
• 23% (62)

• Not enough
• 38% (103)

• A good amount
• 32% (87)

• Enough already!
• 4% (13)

How often do you read education-related blogs?

135 total responses

• Frequently
• 18% (25)

• Occasionally
• 22% (30)

• Rarely
• 47% (64)

• What's a blog?
• 11% (16)

How much has the Internet affected the way you teach?

188 total responses

• Hardly
• 3% (7)

• Some
• 22% (43)

• Enormously
• 73% (138)

How much control do you have over the curriculum you use?

284 total responses

• A great deal
• 29% (84)

• Some
• 28% (82)

• Very little
• 28% (81)

• None
• 13% (37)

Standardized testing is an effective measure of student learning.

663 total responses

• Agree
• 7% (47)

• Agree somewhat
• 22% (147)

• Disagree
• 56% (372)

• Disagree somewhat
• 14% (97)

Should teachers' pay be tied to student performance?

590 total responses

• Yes
• 20% (119)

• No
• 79% (471)

Are the standards for highly qualified teachers under NCLB an effective measure of teacher quality?

388 total responses

• Yes
• 11% (46)

• No
• 88% (342)