The 2010 Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) Gallup Poll reveals that nearly half of Americans give the schools in their communities either an A or B. This is consistent with findings over the past 35 years. However, only 18% of Americans rated the nation’s schools either an A or B. The latter polling result shows a downward trend in attitudes toward public schools in general. This difference between the attitude toward the schools in the community and in the nation is probably due to the barrage of rhetoric about “failing public schools” and the craze for education “choice” and the privatization movement.
Parents of public school students rate their local schools somewhat high, according to the PDK Gallup Poll. Seventy-seven percent of Americans gave the school their oldest child attends either an A or B. Grades given by parents to their schools have improved over the past 25 years according to the poll.
The PDK Gallup Poll data indicates that the traditional public school SYSTEM is a much more effective institution than portrayed by its critics. Any school needs the support of parents/guardians to be successful. Those schools that are graded low on the states’ report cards typically serve pupil populations living in challenging environments and circumstances, with a general lack of parental support for the school.
The state government inOhiois responsible for a thorough and efficient SYSTEM of public common schools; thus is responsible for providing the essential resources to permit the schools to be successful. This responsibility includes the provision of resources to communities and parents that allow children to enter school developmentally ready for the school experience.
State officials should be held accountable for their neglect of the SYSTEM. Farming out the SYSTEM to entities that have no better success rate is irresponsible.
