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? Higher education
Great deal
Quite a lot
Some
Very little
None (vol.)
No opinion
Great deal/Quite a lot
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
2024 Jun 3-23
18
18
32
30
2
1
36
2023 Jun 1-22
17
19
40
22
1
*
36
2018 Jun 1-13
23
25
34
15
1
1
48
2015 Jun 2-7
28
29
33
9
1
1
57
(vol.) = Volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
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?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2024
9
20
26
42
3
2023
9
20
28
40
2
2022
10
18
29
40
2
2021
12
23
24
40
1
2020
10
25
27
36
2
2019
9
27
29
33
2
2018
12
26
30
31
2
2017
12
25
29
32
2
2016
11
27
27
34
2
2015
12
28
27
30
3
2014
11
28
30
29
2
2013
11
30
27
29
3
2012
7
30
28
33
2
2008
11
31
30
27
2
2007
11
30
29
28
2
2006
11
31
29
27
2
2005
9
31
32
26
2
2004
9
33
31
25
2
2003
11
31
32
25
1
2002
12
33
28
26
1
2001
10
30
32
25
3
ºÚÁÏÍø
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?
Based on K-12 parents
Yes
No
No opinion
%
%
%
2023 Aug 1-23
14
86
*
2022 Aug 1-23
20
80
--
2019 Aug 1-14
12
88
--
2018 Aug 1-12
20
79
1
2017 Aug 2-6
6
94
--
2016 Aug 3-7
13
87
--
2015 Aug 5-9
10
89
*
2014 Aug 7-10
8
92
--
2013 Aug 7-11
10
89
1
2012 Aug 9-12
12
85
3
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
--
2007 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?
ºÚÁÏÍø
How would you rate the performance of your children's teachers -- as excellent, good, fair or poor?
Based on K-12 parents
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2023 Aug 1-23
36
37
20
7
1
2018 Aug 1-12
35
36
22
6
*
1981 Mar 11-17
29
45
19
5
2
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
What are some of the reasons you are dissatisfied with the quality of education that students in this country receive? [OPEN-ENDED]
Asked of those dissatisfied with K-12 education
2022 Aug 1-23
%
Poor/Outdated curriculum
15
Poor quality education/Outranked by other countries
12
Lack of teaching basic subjects (reading, writing, arithmetic)
11
Political agendas being taught
10
Students not learning life skills
9
Unequal access/opportunity for low-income students
8
Lack of funding, resources
6
Lack of care, empathy, attention, support for students
6
Sex education/Transgender/Gender identity education
4
History not being taught
4
Teacher pay/Low salaries/Underpaid
4
Not enough quality teachers/Underqualified
4
Lack of teachers/understaffed/Too much turnover
4
Too much emphasis on standardized testing
3
Teaching methods/Way teachers teach/On computers too much
3
Little discipline with students/Low accountability
3
Critical race theory agenda
3
Schools are not safe/Violence/Bullying
2
Poor response to COVID-19 situation/Home schooling/Lack of teaching
2
Need more involvement, input from parents
2
Lack or preparedness for workforce, careers
2
Students not taught to think critically
2
Schools are overcrowded/Large class sizes/Teachers overworked
2
Students not challenged/Not pushed to their capabilities
2
Teachers not allowed to teach/Not supported enough
1
Too much government interference
1
Students not taught basic civics
1
No Child Left Behind agenda
1
Other
10
No opinion
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next, we'd like to ask you about racial concentration, sometimes referred to as racial segregation, in U.S. public schools. This occurs when students in a school are predominantly from one racial group, such as mostly white or mostly black. Do you feel racial concentration or segregation in U.S. public schools is a very serious problem, a moderately serious problem, not too serious a problem or not a problem at all?
Very serious
Moderately serious
Not too serious
Not a problem
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2019 Jul 15-31
21
36
22
19
2
ºÚÁÏÍø
Just your best guess, do you think U.S. public schools are now -- [ROTATED: more racially segregated than they were 20 years ago, has there been no change, (or are U.S. public schools) less racially segregated than they were 20 years ago]?
More segregated
No change
Less segregated
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2019 Jul 15-31
23
20
54
3
ºÚÁÏÍø
Do you think the federal government should or should not take additional steps to reduce racial concentration or segregation in U.S. schools?
Yes, should
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
2019 Jul 15-31
53
45
2
ºÚÁÏÍø
Do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals to reduce racial concentration or segregation in U.S. public schools? [RANDOM ORDER]
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
Creating more regional magnet schools that offer specialized courses or curriculum
79
18
3
Initiating policies to promote more low-income housing in suburbs and other higher-income areas
66
32
2
Redrawing school district boundaries to create more racially diverse school districts
60
38
2
Requiring school districts to bus a certain percentage of students to a neighboring school district to make schools more racially diverse
43
55
2
ºÚÁÏÍø, July 15-31, 2019
How important is a college education today -- very important, fairly important or not too important?
Very important
Fairly important
Not important
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2019 Jun 19-30
53
35
11
*
2019 Jun 3-16
49
37
14
*
2013 Dec 5-8
70
23
6
*
1985 May 17-20 ^
64
27
7
2
1983 May 13-22 ^
58
31
8
3
1978 Apr ^
36
46
16
2
* Less than 0.5%; ^ ºÚÁÏÍø/Phi Delta Kappa Survey of Attitudes toward Public Schools
ºÚÁÏÍø
Please say whether you favor or oppose each of the following proposals. [RANDOM ORDER]
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
Free tuition at community colleges for anyone who wants to attend
64
36
*
Free tuition at public four-year colleges for students from low- and middle-income families
63
36
*
Debt-free college education ^
61
38
1
^ FULL ITEM WORDING: Debt-free college education that would use government money to cover the cost of a student's college beyond what his or her family can afford; * Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø, June 19-30, 2019
How confident are you that federal and state governments would be able to cover the cost of free or debt-free college programs for students -- very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident or not confident at all?
Very confident
Somewhat confident
Not too confident
Not confident at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2019 Jun 19-30
17
23
24
35
*
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
Now, I'd like to ask you some questions about education beyond high school in the United States. By education beyond high school, I mean education available at colleges, universities, community colleges, online schools, technical/vocational schools and any place you could earn a degree or a professional certificate. Do you think education beyond high school is AVAILABLE to anyone in this country who needs it?
Yes, is
No, is not
No opinion
%
%
%
2019 Jun 3-16
60
40
--
2015 ^
59
41
*
2014 ^
61
39
*
2013 ^
67
32
1
2012 ^
68
32
*
2011 ^
71
28
*
* Less than 0.5%; ^ ºÚÁÏÍø/Lumina Foundation surveys
ºÚÁÏÍø
Do you think education beyond high school is AFFORDABLE for anyone in this country who needs it?
Yes, is
No, is not
No opinion
%
%
%
2019 Jun 3-16
27
73
*
2015 ^
24
76
1
2014 ^
21
78
<1
2013 ^
23
77
1
2012 ^
26
74
<1
* Less than 0.5%; ^ ºÚÁÏÍø/Lumina Foundation surveys
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next I'm going to read a list of ways in which children are educated in the U.S. today. As I read each one, please indicate -- based on what you know or have read and heard -- how good an education each provides children -- excellent, good, only fair or poor. How about ... ?
Excellent
Good
Only fair
Poor
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
Public schools
2017 Aug 2-6
5
39
35
19
2
2012 Aug 9-12
5
32
42
19
2
Parochial or church-related schools
2017 Aug 2-6
21
42
21
9
8
2012 Aug 9-12
21
48
18
5
8
Independent private schools
2017 Aug 2-6
21
50
17
4
8
2012 Aug 9-12
31
47
13
2
7
Charter schools
2017 Aug 2-6
14
41
23
9
13
2012 Aug 9-12
17
43
23
5
13
Home schooling
2017 Aug 2-6
14
32
31
15
8
2012 Aug 9-12
13
33
30
14
9
ºÚÁÏÍø
From what you know, how would you rate the quality of education offered by each of the following -- as generally excellent, good, only fair or poor?
Excellent
Good
Only fair
Poor
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
Four-year colleges and universities
2015 Jun 2-7
22
48
24
5
2
2013 Oct 3-6
16
52
22
8
2
Community colleges
2015 Jun 2-7
18
48
27
4
2
2013 Oct 3-6
13
51
27
6
3
Internet-based college programs ^
2015 Jun 2-7
8
28
36
18
9
2013 Oct 3-6
5
29
34
18
13
^ FULL WORDING: Internet-based college programs, in which the courses are conducted entirely online
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Making public school facilities available after school hours for use by student religious groups.
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 Aug 7-10
77
21
2
2001 Feb 9-11
72
26
2
1999 Jun 25-27
78
21
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Allowing daily prayer to be spoken in the classroom.
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 Aug 7-10
61
37
2
2001 Feb 9-11
66
34
*
2000 Sep 11-13
68
30
2
1999 Jun 25-27
70
28
2
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Allowing students to say prayers at graduation ceremonies as part of the official program.
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
%
%
%
2014 Aug 7-10
75
24
1
2001 Feb 9-11
80
20
*
2000 Sep 11-13
77
21
2
1999 Jun 25-27
83
17
*
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
How much, if anything, have you heard about the new national standards for teaching reading, writing and math in grades K through 12, known as the Common Core State Standards -- a great deal, a fair amount, only a little or nothing at all?
Based on public school K-12 parents
Great deal
Fair amount
Only a little
Nothing at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2014 Apr 3-9
16
22
30
31
2
ºÚÁÏÍø
And from what you know about them, do you have a positive or negative impression of the Common Core standards? Is that very [positive/negative], or somewhat [positive/negative]?
Based on public school K-12 parents
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Somewhat negative
Very negative
Not heard of
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
%
All public school parents
2014 Apr 3-9
9
26
15
13
33
4
Heard of Common Core
2014 Apr 3-9
13
39
23
19
--
6
ºÚÁÏÍø
Now I'd like to mention several aspects of the Common Core. For each, please tell me if you think it will have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative impact on education in the United States? How about -- Having one set of educational standards across the country for reading, writing and math?
Based on public school K-12 parents
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Somewhat negative
Very negative
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2014 Apr 3-9
37
36
15
10
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
Now I'd like to mention several aspects of the Common Core. For each, please tell me if you think it will have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative impact on education in the United States? How about -- Linking teacher evaluations to their students' Common Core test scores?
Based on public school K-12 parents
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Somewhat negative
Very negative
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2014 Apr 3-9
30
37
16
14
4
ºÚÁÏÍø
Now I'd like to mention several aspects of the Common Core. For each, please tell me if you think it will have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative impact on education in the United States? How about -- Using standardized computer-based tests to measure all students' performance and progress?
Based on public school K-12 parents
Very positive
Somewhat positive
Somewhat negative
Very negative
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2014 Apr 3-9
26
39
20
13
2
ºÚÁÏÍø
Are you currently taking an online course, or not?
Yes
No
No opinion
%
%
%
2013 Oct 3-6
5
95
--
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next, if you had to choose, which do you think is more important for young people to succeed today -- [ROTATED: earning a college degree from a well-respected university (or) obtaining the knowledge or skills needed to do a specific job]?
Degree from well-respected university
Obtaining Knowledge/skills
No opinion
%
%
%
2013 Oct 5-6
47
50
4
ºÚÁÏÍø
Next we have some questions about online education; that is, classes conducted entirely or partially over the Internet that can be taken for college credit, personal enrichment, professional development or other business-related reasons. Just your opinion, do you think online education is better, the same or worse than traditional classroom-based education in each of the following areas? How about in providing -- [RANDOM ORDER]
Better
Same
Worse
No opinion
%
%
%
%
A wide range of options for curriculum
33
39
23
6
Good value for the money
33
34
27
6
Instruction tailored to each individual
23
31
41
4
A format most students can succeed in
23
42
30
5
High-quality instruction from well-qualified instructors
15
37
43
5
A degree that will be viewed positively by employers
13
33
49
5
Rigorous testing and grading that can be trusted
11
39
45
5
Oct. 5-6, 2013
ºÚÁÏÍø
Thinking about all the subjects you studied in school, which one, if any, has been the most valuable to you in your life? [OPEN-ENDED]
2013 Aug 7-11
2002 Aug 5-8
%
%
Math
34
34
English/Literature/Reading
21
24
Science/Physics/Biology
12
4
History
8
7
Business/Finance/Accounting
4
4
Social Studies
3
2
Psychology
3
1
Economics
2
2
Art/Theater/Music
2
--
Foreign Language/Language Arts
1
1
Home Economics
1
1
Theology/Religion
1
1
Other
2
12
All
1
1
None
2
2
No opinion
3
4
ºÚÁÏÍø
In terms of public education in this country, do you think the federal government 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
2012 Aug 9-12
39
24
36
1
2010 Aug 5-8
43
20
35
1
2000 Apr 7-9
46
22
29
3
K-12 Parents
2012 Aug 9-12
42
22
35
*
2010 Aug 5-8
56
16
27
1
2000 Apr 7-9
50
22
26
2
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
%
%
%
%
%
2012 Aug 9-12
18
48
20
13
1
2009 Aug 6-9
14
46
25
14
--
ºÚÁÏÍø
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 better, has it not made much difference or has it made it worse?
Made better
Not made much difference
Made worse
Not familiar with
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
National adults
2012 Aug 9-12
16
38
29
14
3
2009 Aug 6-9
18
39
25
14
5
Familiar with NCLB Act
2012 Aug 9-12
19
44
33
--
4
2009 Aug 6-9
21
45
29
--
5
ºÚÁÏÍø
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 now
About the same
Worse now
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
ºÚÁÏÍø
Just your opinion, what would be the best way to improve kindergarten through 12th grade education in the U.S. today? [OPEN-ENDED]
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 government from running schools
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
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
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?
Based on K-12 parents
Very nutritious
Somewhat nutritious
Not that nutritious
Not nutritious at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Aug 3-5
21
42
17
10
11
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
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?
Based on K-12 parents
Offering enough
Should offer more
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Aug 3-5
27
66
8
ºÚÁÏÍø
Do you think your child's school is offering too many foods that should not be served to children, or not?
Based on K-12 parents
Yes, too many
No, not
No opinion
%
%
%
2007 Aug 3-5
43
48
8
ºÚÁÏÍø
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?
Based on K-12 parents
Great deal
Moderate amount
Not much
Not at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2007 Aug 3-5
9
22
37
30
2
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
^ Asked of a half sample
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
Neither (vol.)
Both (vol.)
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2005 Aug 8-11
23%
69
5
3
*
1995 May 1-30 ^
24%
70
3
2
1
^ ºÚÁÏÍø/PDK Survey; * Less than 0.5%; (vol.)=volunteered response
ºÚÁÏÍø
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]?
Yes, should
No, should not
Unsure
No answer
%
%
%
%
Evolution
2005 Aug 8-11
61
20
19
*
Creationism
2005 Aug 8-11
54
22
23
1
Intelligent design
2005 Aug 8-11
43
21
35
1
* Less than 0.5%
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
Somewhat familiar
Not too familiar
Not familiar at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2005 Aug 8-11
18
32
19
30
1
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
Right amount
Too little
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2005 Aug 8-11
11
27
60
2
2001 Feb 9-11 ^
7
28
63
2
^ Asked of a half sample
ºÚÁÏÍø
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
ºÚÁÏÍø
From what you know or have heard, do you favor or oppose school vouchers, or do you not know enough to say?
Lumina and ºÚÁÏÍø find Americans are more confident in community colleges than four-year universities. The greatest difference between the two is cost.
Cost and program flexibility are leading reasons Americans without a degree or credential have left their postsecondary program, and about three-quarters of these learners have considered reenrolling in the past two years.