Hornstein Center Poll Shows Majority of Parents Support School Choice System, Differ on which Choice is Most Beneficial

63 Percent of Americans Support States Implementing School Choice, Allowing Parents to Place their Children in Private or Parochial Schools

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Long Island University

Sep 27, 2018, 16:32 ET

BROOKVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Long Island University Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis poll shows that a majority of Americans support states implementing a school choice system, allowing parents to place their children in private or parochial schools if they choose. However, Americans are far more mixed on which school choice form they believe to be most effective.

63 percent of Americans support states implementing school choice, allowing parents to place their children in private or parochial schools if they so choose. Respondents, however, differed widely on their preferred choice. For instance, 23.92 percent believed the district of choice was ideal, 18.47 percent supported tax credits for educational expenses, 13.59 percent supported vouchers, 12.15 supported magnet schools, and 11.77 percent supported charter schools.

"A clear majority of Americans believe that parents should be able to send their children to the school system of their choice," said Dr. Stanley B. Klein, Director of the Hornstein Center and LIU political science professor. "It was the preferred choice that varied quite dramatically, particularly based on the age bracket that was surveyed."

Interestingly, a significant discrepancy on school choice was exhibited based on the ages of survey respondents. Just 34.34 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 send their children to public schools, whereas 60.58 percent of those surveyed between the ages of 45 and 60 opted for public schools.

In terms of school safety, 68.36 percent of parents surveyed indicated that they felt their children were safe while attending school and 31.64 percent believing their children were unsafe at school.

"About a third of parents do not believe their children are safe while attending school," commented Dr. Klein. "That is a rather disconcerting number, and it seems to be something governments and school systems must work to remedy."

With regards to the Common Core Learning Standards, respondents were divided. 38.76 percent support Common Core, while 28.71 percent oppose, and 32.54 had not formed an opinion.

Dr. Klein brings extensive experience in politics, government, and academia to the work done here at the Steven S. Hornstein Center. His classes cover a wide range of issues including the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Presidency, and U.S. Foreign Policy. He fosters a creative political dialogue both inside and outside the classroom.

Long Island University Hornstein Center Poll on Education Policy
Q1. Do you support the Common Core Learning Standards?
Answer Choices	Responses
I do support the Common Core Learning Standards;	38.76%	405
I do not support the Common Core Learning Standards;	28.71%	300
No Opinion;	32.54%	340
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q2. Are you satisfied with the education that your child is receiving or received?
Answer Choices	Responses
I am satisfied with the education that my child is receiving;	32.63%	341
I am not satisfied with the education that my child is receiving;	20.67%	216
I do not have children;	37.70%	394
No Opinion;	9.00%	94
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q3. Does your oldest child attend, or did they attend, public (including charter), parochial/private, or home school?
Answer Choices	Responses
My oldest child attends or attended public school;	48.90%	511
My oldest child attends or attended private school;	9.95%	104
My oldest child is or was home-schooled;	3.44%	36
I do not have children;	37.70%	394
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q4. If you have more than one child, do they all attend, or did they all attend, public (including charter), parochial/private, or home school?
Answer Choices	Responses
They all attend or attended public school;	40.38%	422
They all attend or attended private school;	8.52%	89
They are or were home-schooled;	2.97%	31
I only have one child;	11.77%	123
I do not have children;	36.36%	380
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q5. Do you support an increase in the number of charter schools?
Answer Choices	Responses
I support an increase in the number of charter schools;	32.54%	340
I think there should be fewer charter schools;	19.23%	201
I think there are enough charter schools;	17.89%	187
No Opinion;	30.33%	317
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q6. Do you believe that your child is safe while attending school?
Answer Choices	Responses
I believe my child is safe while they attend school;	43.83%	458
I do not believe my child is safe while they attend school;	20.29%	212
I do not have children;	35.89%	375
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q7. Do you think states should implement school choice and allow parents who wish to, to place their children in private or parochial schools?
Answer Choices	Responses
Yes, I think states should implement a school choice system;	63.16%	660
No, I do not think states should implement a school choice system;	21.15%	221
No Opinion;	15.69%	164
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q8. Which school choice form do you think would be most effective?
Answer Choices	Responses
Vouchers;	13.59%	142
Scholarship tax credits;	8.90%	93
Charter schools;	11.77%	123
Magnet schools;	12.15%	127
Education Savings Accounts;	11.20%	117
Tax credit/deduction for educational expenses;	18.47%	193
District of choice;	23.92%	250
	Answered	1045
	Skipped	0

Q9. Age
Answer Choices	Responses
< 18	0.00%	0
18-29	28.48%	297
30-44	19.85%	207
45-60	26.27%	274
> 60	25.41%	265
	Answered	1043
	Skipped	2

Q10. Gender
Answer Choices	Responses
Male	47.36%	494
Female	52.64%	549
	Answered	1043
	Skipped	2

Q11. Household Income
Answer Choices	Responses
$0-$9,999	8.82%	92
$10,000-$24,999	9.88%	103
$25,000-$49,999	21.00%	219
$50,000-$74,999	17.16%	179
$75,000-$99,999	13.42%	140
$100,000-$124,999	8.92%	93
$125,000-$149,999	3.74%	39
$150,000-$174,999	2.68%	28
$175,000-$199,999	1.53%	16
$200,000+	4.51%	47
Prefer not to answer	8.34%	87
	Answered	1043
	Skipped	2

Q12. Region
Answer Choices	Responses
New England	6.85%	71
Middle Atlantic	15.14%	157
East North Central	14.85%	154
West North Central	5.98%	62
South Atlantic	17.74%	184
East South Central	6.65%	69
West South Central	8.68%	90
Mountain	8.20%	85
Pacific	15.91%	165
	Answered	1037
	Skipped	8

Q13. Device Type
Answer Choices	Responses
iOS Phone / Tablet	37.20%	388
Android Phone / Tablet	30.78%	321
Other Phone / Tablet	0.00%	0
Windows Desktop / Laptop	27.80%	290
MacOS Desktop / Laptop	3.36%	35
Other	0.86%	9
	Answered	1043
	Skipped	2

Polling Methodology
This Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling & Analysis poll was conducted Friday, September 7 with 1,045 responses representative of U.S. Census Data with a margin of error of ±3 percent.

The Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis at LIU Post conducts independent, fair, and balanced polling, empirical research, and analysis on a wide range of public issues including lifestyle preferences. The Center's goals include informing the community, public and policy makers about critical issues.

SOURCE Long Island University