The results of ETS's recent bipartisan survey on American opinions about high schools are in. The executive summary highlights some pretty low numbers:
Few (11%) Americans say that schools are working well enough today (the same proportion who said that this was the case four years ago) and they continue to be divided between those who say that we should make minor changes to public schools but basically keep them as is (39%) and those who say that schools need major changes (30%) or a complete overhaul (18%). The desire to improve education leads to strong majority support for a wide range of reform...
Given that NCLB has been in effect for the past four years, it's interesting to see that the proportion who believe the schools are working well has stayed low. It would also be interesting to know if the group who thought schools needed major changes four years ago believe that NCLB has been a helpful change.
I also found this part fascinating:
Most (55%) Americans say that all students, teachers, and schools should be held to the same performance standard even if many students come from disadvantaged backgrounds; once more, endorsing a fundamental precept of NCLB. Only one-quarter (26%) of teachers agree.Instead, 60% of teachers say that students enter school with different backgrounds and levels of academic preparation, and we should not expect teachers working with disadvantaged students to have their students reach the same performance level as teachers working in more affluent schools.
Sampling information is contained in the Power Point presentation.
Posted by kswygert at June 28, 2005 11:51 AM