Poll: Words, Actions Fail To Match On Public Engagement

By Mary-Ellen Phelps Deily

School leaders say they strongly support efforts to solicit feedback about policy matters, but their actions often fall short of that ideal, a new poll says. Teachers, meanwhile, often feel "out of the loop" on school policy decisions.

"Just Waiting To Be Asked? A Fresh Look at Attitudes on Public Engagement" captures the views of hundreds of superintendents, school board members, teachers, and members of the general public. Conducted by Public Agenda, with support from the U.S. Department of Education, the American Federation of Teachers, and other organizations, the poll was to be released March 26.

Public Agenda found widespread support for public schools and a high degree of goodwill between superintendents and board members. In addition, the nonprofit opinion-research group reports, 66 percent of the 809 members of the general public who were interviewed said they felt "comfortable leaving school policies...