Governor Jeb Bush and a Republican-dominated legislature have legislated a sweeping revision of the Florida education code that could qualify 150,000 of the state's 2.3 million public-school students for vouchers. A convenient diversion from true school reform, Bush's Opportunity Scholarship Program will be judged unconstitutional. (MLH)

According to the 1997 Phi Delta Kappan poll, the public believes that providing more computers, relocating "troublemakers," establishing national standards, and expanding school choice would help improve student achievement. Three factors influence school success: strong parental support, adequate funding, and cooperative students. Lack of…

The 1996 Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup Poll found that people oppose using tax money to support nonpublic schools and reject privatization of schools' basic instructional functions. People generally rate their local schools highly, believe educational improvement is more important than deficit reduction, and believe the Democratic Party is more…

"Kappan" asked 75 "young education leaders" of 1980 to answer some open-ended questions regarding education's purpose and future direction. The 42 respondents identified knowing, thinking, and problem solving as education's major purpose, followed by personal development and economic competence. Respondents felt integration of technology was the…

Summarizes major opinion differences between the general public and professional educators uncovered in the April 1987 "Phi Delta Kappan" Gallup Poll. Educators differed regarding biggest problems; improvement progress; community school ratings; the voucher system; organized prayer; parental choice of curricular materials; physical education, fine…

In the 1988 Gallup Poll, 32 percent of interviewees called student drug use the most important problem facing local public schools, with lack of discipline a close second. This article summarizes respondents' attitudes toward AIDS education, latch-key programs, higher taxes, racial integration, year round schooling, reduced class size, home…

Replicating a survey of high school students of the class of 1952, the author's survey of the class of 1984 shows greater agreement with the "Founding Fathers" on many issues, with a larger percentage of students willing to allow police searches without warrants and deny legal counsel to criminals. (JBM)

An examination of the origins and significance of the 15 years of surveys reveals enduring public faith in education, a need for an informed public, and considerable stability in public attitudes. Two tables identify public estimations of biggest school problems and attitudes toward change and innovation. (PB)

According to the 21st annual Gallup/Phi Delta Kappa poll, the public favors school choice, a more standardized national curriculum, improvement of public school quality in poorer and innercity areas, reduction of class size in early grades, afternoon school and summer programs for children of working parents, and increased state and federal…

Teachers generally feel unrewarded and underappreciated. Most oppose merit pay and extending the school year and desire higher pay and more authority. The most frequently mentioned problems are parents' lack of interest and support, lack of proper financial support, pupils' lack of interest and truancy, and lack of discipline. Other results are…

Discusses education's long-term role in preventing nuclear war and reports on a three-state survey of 118 high school seniors on their knowledge of nuclear war issues. Describes educational groups' activities around the issues and recounts the author's personal experiences at Hiroshima (Japan) and growing awareness of nuclear problems. (RW)

Assesses the National Educational Association's (NEA) influence and power to effect political change. Concludes that the NEA is neither very powerful nor very weak and that its potential is considerable if Reagan's conservative program falters. (WD)

Reports on a comparison of the attitudes that educators and members of the lay public expressed in the Gallup Poll. Educators tended to find more (and somewhat different) problems than did the public, were more aware of costs, and were less favorably disposed toward the basics and toward special classes for non-English speaking students. (IRT)

The 1995 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll features in-depth exploration of various educational issues. Respondents rate their own communities' schools higher than the nation's schools. Lack of discipline and waning financial support are schools' major problems. People believe that disruptive and learning-disabled students should be educated in separate…

Twenty-fourth annual Gallup/Phi Delta Kappan education poll shows public that wants improved public schools despite elected leaders' failed improvement efforts. Survey respondents perceive biggest problems facing schools are inadequate financial support, drug use, lack of discipline. They support national standardized tests, preschool programs for…