45th PDK/Gallup Poll on American Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

William J. bushaw and Shane J. lopez:

As 45 states stand on the brink of one of the most ambitious education initiatives in our lifetime, Americans say they don't believe standardized tests improve education, and they aren't convinced rigorous new education standards will help. These are some of the findings in the 45th annual PDK/ Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools.

Results of the poll come in a time of unsettledness in the American education franchise. Recent major reform efforts -- No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and the Common Core State Standards -- face uncertain futures even as the poll lays bare a significant rift between policy makers and ordinary citizens and parents.

For example:

Fewer than 25% of Americans believe increased testing has helped the performance of local public schools.

A majority of Americans reject using student scores from standardized tests to evaluate teachers.

Almost two of three Americans have never heard of the Common Core State Standards, arguably one of the most important education initiatives in decades,
and most of those who say they know about the Common Core neither understand it nor embrace it.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at August 28, 2013 1:04 AM
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