Most give US education poor marks

Added by on August 31, 2011

According to a recent Education Survey conducted by Persuadable Research, 72% felt that the overall quality of K-12 education is fair (44%) to not very good (24%) to not good at all (4%). More than half the panelists queried felt that students are not receiving an education that allows them to compete globally. When asked what steps could be taken to improve the education system, many survey respondents pointed to increased government funding, better pay for teachers and more parent involvement as key steps toward improvement.

Education is a hot topic this fall as local and national lawmakers continue debates on budget cuts and curriculum requirements. A sobering statistic for those caught in the cross-hairs? According to a recent Education Survey conducted by Persuadable Research, 72% felt that the overall quality of K-12 education is fair (44%) to not very good (24%) to not good at all (4%). More than half the panelists queried felt that students are not receiving an education that allows them to compete globally.

When asked what steps could be taken to improve the education system, many survey respondents pointed to increased government funding, better pay for teachers and more parent involvement as key steps toward improvement.

Almost half of those participating in the research study acknowledge they feel charter schools offer a higher quality education when compared to public schools — citing smaller class sizes and a ‘better curriculum’ as key components in that evaluation. Additionally, two-thirds of panelists believe that a private school environment provides a superior education when compared to a public school venue. Why? First-hand experience has shown that private school tuition not only buys smaller class sizes, but also seems to ensure greater parental involvement. Those two elements are part of a recipe that leads to greater academic success in the minds of parents.

“I love how parents can make decisions and changes quickly in the charter system,” explains Nancie, an Idaho parent with two elementary-aged children enrolled in a local charter school program. “My perception is that at a public school you can’t fix anything without approvals from some sort of official. That process is often time consuming and the children’s advancement suffers in the meantime.”

Nancie was able to send her children to a charter program upon being selected in a lottery drawing. But for many families feeling the financial pinch of the recession, and who don’t have their name drawn for a charter school, a private education is also out of reach due to the expense. When purse strings tighten, families are less likely to pay private school tuitions. National figures vary, but many enrollment reports cite up to a 10% reduction in private school attendees over the past several years. Meanwhile, the interest and waiting lists for charter schools are growing aggressively. All parents want high quality education, after all. Finding a way to fund that superior learning opportunity for their children is a real challenge.

Not surprisingly, survey findings reveal teacher salaries remain a key concern within the discussion of education policy. When panelists in the Persuadable Research study were asked what would qualify as ‘a reasonable annual salary’ for teachers, the majority indicated ranges between $40,000-$60,000. Panelists were more evenly divided on other issues. Interest in requiring school uniforms be mandatory in all public schools, for example, had nearly half of the panelists raising their hands on either side of the issue.

One response that is sure to catch the attention of young people everywhere is that almost half of the panelists surveyed feel year round school would be a good option for teachers, students and parents. Considering all of the pressures facing public school systems nationwide, there is one thing for certain: change.

For more information about Online Market Research contact Persuadable Research Corporation.