As Election Draws Near, New National Poll Shows Americans Rank Public Education As A Top Concern
Tuesday, October 17 2006

Voters concerned over elected officials' lack of attention to and lack of accountability for public education; Launch of Give Kids Good Schools Week gives public opportunity to take action

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Despite rising concerns about world events, a national poll released today finds that the American public ranks public education, along with the Iraq War, as its top concern. The poll comes as Americans across the country take part in Give Kids Good Schools Week, part of a national campaign to give Americans the information, knowledge and power they need to take action to improve public schools. Survey results were released on a national press conference call on Monday, Oct. 16.

With national elections in less than a month, elected officials have been criticized for the underperformance of public schools. Americans believe that current elected officials are not doing enough to ensure that all children receive a quality public education. And recognizing that public education has not been at the forefront in the 2006 election campaigns, 62 percent of voters say that candidates are not focusing enough on the issue of public education.

The poll was conducted by Lake Research Partners and The Tarrance Group and commissioned by Public Education Network, a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to quality public education for all children, especially poor and disadvantaged children. The poll, conducted in October, surveyed 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points.

"As the election season heats up, it's clear that candidates are failing to address a top concern of the American public - public education," said Wendy D. Puriefoy, president of Public Education Network. "They believe that elected officials are not doing their part and aren't focusing enough attention on the issue."

The poll also revealed a mostly sour mood on the part of the American public on public school performance. More than half of Americans (57 percent) reported they were either "frustrated" or "concerned" with the direction of America's public schools. They strongly believe that every child has a right to a quality public education, yet not every child is receiving one. They also believe that there are real and serious consequences if every child does not receive a quality public education.

The poll found that Americans do believe that everyone, not just parents, has a role to play in improving public schools. And, everyone is responsible for holding elected officials accountable for their actions on public education. Yet an overwhelming majority, 72 percent, believe that elected officials are not held accountable.

The poll is part of the launch of the first Give Kids Good Schools Week, Oct. 16-22, a week that gives individuals across the country an opportunity to take action in support of public schools and to play the role they want to play. Across the country, 125 events are taking place in 22 states and the District of Columbia to engage the public in improving public schools. Events include candidate forums and rallies, as well as other locally driven activities. These events provide communities with the opportunity to participate in improving public schools and to send a clear message that quality public schools are a top priority on Election Day and every day. A sample of activities to be held by PEN's member organizations across the country include:

* Houston - On Oct. 16, Mayor White will proclaim Oct. 16-22 Give Kids Good Schools Week. Houston A+ Challenge will sponsor "Business Community School Visits" to help local businesses learn more about public education and make real world connections between business and the classroom.

* Washington, D.C. - During the week of Oct. 16, DC Voice, as well as other local organizations, will host a forum for Board of Education candidates to discuss the issues facing DC Public Schools. DC Voice will also sponsor a community site visit to a high-performing school to help the community to learn more about their local schools. The site visit will allow the community to be more informed about the state of public schools in their community.

* Seattle - On Oct. 16, 2006, the Alliance for Education will host a community forum entitled, "Mathematics and our Children's Future." Parents, educators, business and community leaders will come together to discuss critical changes needed in the teaching and learning of mathematics. The gathering of parents, educators, and business and community leaders will feature Ruth Parker, Ph.D., a nationally known math educator.

"Give Kids Good Schools Week is a chance for the nation to focus its attention on the public education system - a system vital to our nation's future prosperity," said Michele Pola, executive director of Houston A+ Challenge, member of Public Education Network. "In Houston, we are spreading the word about the campaign and through community conversations, we are giving our citizens a chance to be part of improving our public schools."

"We simply cannot wait for any single person or group to give us better public schools," Puriefoy said. "We all have a responsibility to use the power and knowledge we have to make a brighter future for our children and our nation."

Give Kids Good Schools Week is part of Give Kids Good Schools, a multi-year campaign that intends to build a constituency of Americans who will use their voices and votes to achieve the goal of quality public education for all children. Information and resources are available at GiveKidsGoodSchools.org.

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Public Education Network (www.PublicEducation.org) is a national constituency of local education funds (LEFs) and individuals working to improve public schools and build public support for quality public education for poor and disadvantaged children in low-income communities across the nation. PEN and its 78 LEF members work in 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico on behalf of more than 11 million children in 16,000 schools, seeking to bring the community voice into the debate on quality public education in the firm belief that an active, vocal constituency will ensure every child, in every community, a quality public education. In addition, PEN's international affiliates serve more than 7 million children in Mexico, Peru and the Philippines.