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Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Reveals Public and NEA In Sync About No Child Left Behind

NEA President Reg Weaver pleased that public continues to support public education

WASHINGTON—Phi Delta Kappa and Gallup today released the findings and conclusions of the 38th Annual Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward Public Schools. The poll found that nearly six in 10 Americans who are familiar with the so-called No Child Left Behind Act believe it has had no effect on schools or has actually harmed them.

“It’s no surprise to find that the public’s views regarding NCLB are consistent with the sentiments of our 2.8 million members,” said National Education Association President Reg Weaver. “While our members support the laudable goals of No Child Left Behind—to close gaps in student achievement and improve overall academic achievement—the law relies too heavily on standardized tests and punishment. It’s fundamentally flawed and severely underfunded, and major improvements need to happen in the next reauthorization.”

In an NEA member poll conducted in June, nearly half of members (48 percent) believe that NCLB has hurt the conditions for teaching and learning at the schools in which they work. And only 30 percent of members said that NCLB has helped teaching and learning. An overwhelming majority (84 percent) think there’s too much reliance on standardized tests. Members also identified four changes that they believe are most likely to improve both NCLB and education: reducing class sizes, increasing funding, measuring achievement over time and using multiple indicators to measure achievement.

Among other major findings, the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll found that public support for public education remains strong, and the public wants to see improvements through existing public schools rather than diverting resources and funds through alternative systems such as vouchers or charter schools.

“We are pleased to see that the public continues its strong support for America’s public schools,” said Weaver. “That’s because the public recognizes—and our members fully embrace—the belief that great public schools are a fundamental right for every child in America.”

The Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll found that 60 percent of the public opposes the use of public funds for children to attend private schools and 69 percent of the public opposes privatizing the operation of local school systems. Eighty percent prefer that students who attend schools that do not to meet performance requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act receive help in their own schools as opposed to transferring to another school.

“The good news is that the public understands that diverting funds away from public schools is not going to improve education,” noted Weaver. “Great public schools cannot excel if public school employees do not have the tools and resources they need to do the important job of preparing our children to live productive and successful lives.”

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