Teachers versus the Public: What Americans Think about Schools and How to Fix Them

Appendix B: Selected Survey Questions, 2007-13

AP P EN DIX B Selected Survey Questions, 2007–13 The following are the survey questions that generated the responses analyzed in this book. From the 2007 Survey 1a. Based on your best guess, what is the average amount of money spent each year for a child in public schools in your school district? 1b. Individual student costs go toward teacher and administrator salaries, building construction and maintenance, extracurricular activities , transportation, etc. Based on your best guess, what is the average amount of money spent each year for a child in public schools in your school district? 2. Based on your best guess, what is the average annual salary of a public school teacher in your state? From the 2008 Survey 1. Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and Fail to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the public schools in the nation as a whole? 2. How about the public schools in your local community? What grade would you give the public schools here? 3. How about the post offices in your local community? What grade would you give the post office here? 134 4. How about the police force in your local community? What grade would you give the police force here? 5a. According to the most recent information available, in your district $[current spending level] is being spent each year per child attending public schools. Do you think that government funding for public schools in your district should increase, decrease, or stay about the same? 5b. Do you think that government funding for public schools in your district should increase, decrease, or stay about the same? 6. If more money were spent on public schools in your district, how confident are you that students would learn more? 7a. According to the most recent information available, teachers in your state are paid an average annual salary of $[current average salary]. Do you think that teacher salaries at your local schools should increase, decrease, or stay about the same? 7b. Do you think that teacher salaries at your local schools should increase, decrease, or stay about the same? 8a. Many states permit the formation of charter schools, which are publicly funded but are not managed by the local school board. These schools are expected to meet promised objectives, but are exempt from many state regulations. Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools? 8b. Many states permit the formation of charter schools, which are publicly funded but are not managed by the local school board. These schools are expected to meet promised objectives, but are exempt from many state regulations. However, these schools cannot charge tuition and they cannot provide religious instruction. Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools? 8c. Many states permit the formation of charter schools, which are publicly funded but are not managed by the local school board. These schools are expected to meet promised objectives, but are exempt from many state regulations. However, these schools cannot choose among students who apply, they cannot charge tuition, and they cannot provide religious instruction. Do you support or oppose the formation of charter schools? 9. Some people say that principals should be the final authority on disciplinary matters. Other people say that students who have been suspended Appendix B 135 from school have a right to appeal their punishment to the local school board. Which do you think is preferable? 10. In some public school districts, parents have requested that some time in each day be set aside for silent prayer and reflection. What do you think about this proposal? From the 2009 Survey 1a. A 2006 government survey ranked the math skills of 15-year-olds in 29 industrialized countries. In this survey, the United States ranked 24th. Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and Fail to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the public schools in the nation as a whole? 1b. According to the most recent available data, roughly 75 percent of 9th graders in U.S. public schools graduate from high school within four years. Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and Fail to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public...