Government & Politics
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Accountability
Question 1: In most cases, the state sets the minimum education standards in the local public schools. Who do you think should check to determine how well the schools are conforming to these standards: the states or the local schools themselves? (Asked in: 1987.)
[Code: 173-GovAX-1]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | States % | Local Schools % |
Both* % |
Don't Know % |
| 1987 | 47 |
29 |
15 |
9 |
|
*Those who said "both" volunteered that answer. | ||||
Constitutional Amendments Affecting the Schools
Question 2: These proposals are being suggested to amend the U.S. Constitution. As I read each one, will you tell me if you favor or oppose it: 1. An amendment to the Constitution that would permit prayers to be said in the public school. 2. Government aid for church-related schools. 3. An amendment to equalize amounts spent on school children within a state. 4. An amendment to forbid busing to achieve racial integration. (Asked in: 1974.)
[Code: 178-GovCX-2]
National Totals |
|||
A. An amendment to the Constitution that would permit prayers to be said in the public schools. | |||
| Year | Favor % | Oppose % | Don't Know/No Answer % |
| 1974 | 77 | 17 | 6 |
B. An amendment to the Constitution that would permit government financial aid to parochial schools. |
|||
| Year | Favor % |
Oppose % |
Don't Know/No Answer % |
| 1974 | 52 |
35 |
13 |
C. An amendment to the Constitution to equalize amounts spent on school children within a state. |
|||
| Year | Favor % |
Oppose % |
Don't Know/No Answer % |
| 1974 | 66 |
22 |
12 |
D. An amendment to forbid busing to achieve racial integration. |
|||
| Year | Favor % |
Oppose % |
Don't Know/No Answer % |
| 1974 | 18 |
72 |
10 |
Faith-Based Programs
Question 3: In your opinion, should faith-based or religious organizations receive public tax money for providing after-school programs designed to improve students' academic performance?(Asked in: 2001.)
[Code: 179-GovFX-3]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Yes, Should % | No, Should Not % | Don't Know % |
| 2001 | 62 | 35 | 3 |
Federal Budget
Question 4: In your opinion, which is more important for the federal government to do in the next five years -- balance the federal budget or improve the quality of the education system in the nation? (Asked in: 1996, 2012.)
[Code: 180-GovFX-4]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | Balance Budget % |
Improve Education % |
Equally Important (Volunteered) % |
Don't Know % |
| 2012 | 60 |
38 |
2 | |
| 1996 | 25 |
64 |
9 |
2 |
Federal Department of Education
Question 5: In your opinion, should Education be taken out of the present Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and made a separate department of the federal government, or not? (Asked in: 1977.)
[Code: 182-GovFa-5]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Favor Making Education a Separate Department % | Oppose % | Don't Know/No Answer % |
| 1977 | 40 | 45 | 15 |
Question 6: As you may know, a new federal Department of Education has been established with Cabinet status. We would like to know what you think this new department should give special attention in the next few years. Will you choose five of the areas listed on this card which you think are most important. 1. Basic education (reading, writing, arithmetic) 2. Vocational training (training students for jobs) 3. Improving teacher training and education 4. Helping students choose careers 5. Parent training to help parents become more fully involved in their children's education 6. Helping more students obtain a college education 7. Developing individual educational plans for every child 8. Providing more opportunities for gifted students 9. Preschool education 10. Lifelong learning (continuing education through adult life) 11. Better educational use of television 12. International education, including foreign language study 13. Improving opportunities for women and minorities (Asked in: 1980.)
[Code: 204-GovFb-6]
National Totals | |
| Year: 1980 | Give Special Attention % |
| 1. Basic education (reading, writing, arithmetic) | 69 |
| 2. Vocational training (training students for jobs) | 56 |
| 3. Improving teacher training and education | 46 |
| 4. Helping students choose careers | 46 |
| 5. Parent training to help parents become more fully involved in their children's education | 45 |
| 6. Helping more students obtain a college education | 35 |
| 7. Developing individual educational plans for every child | 33 |
| 8. Providing more opportunities for gifted students | 25 |
| 9. Preschool education | 24 |
| 10. Lifelong learning (continuing education through adult life) | 23 |
| 11. Better educational use of television | 20 |
| 12. International education, including foreign language study | 19 |
| 13. Improving opportunities for women and minorities | 18 |
| (Figures add to more than 100% due to multiple responses.) | |
Question 7: Two years ago a new Department of Education was established in the federal government in Washington, D.C. The present Administration now says such a department is not needed and that its functions should be performed by a smaller agency or by other departments of the government. Do you agree or disagree with this view? (Asked in: 1981.)
[Code: 183-GovFc-7]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Agree That Department of Education Is Not Needed % | Disagree % | No Opinion % |
| 1981 | 49 | 29 | 22 |
Question 8: About 10 years ago a new federal Department of Education was established. The present Administration says that such a department is not needed and that its functions should be performed by a smaller agency or by other department of the government. Do you agree or disagree with this view? (Asked in: 1987.)
[Code: 181-GovFd-8]
National Totals | |||
| Year | Agree % | Disagree % | Don't Know % |
| 1987 | 39 | 37 | 24 |
Federal Role:
Question 9: This card lists various things that the federal government in Washington might do for education in America. As I read off each item, would you tell me whether it is something that you think that the government should do, or should not do, for American education? (Asked in: 1987.)
[Code: 184-GovFX-9]
National Totals: 1987 | |||
Yes % | No % | Don't Know % | |
| Require states and local school districts to meet minimum educational standards | 84 | 10 | 6 |
| Advise and encourage state and local educational systems to deal with important national problems in education, such as illiteracy and poor math achievement | 83 | 10 | 7 |
| Identify important national problems in education, such as illiteracy and poor math achievement | 81 |
12 |
7 |
| Promote educational programs intended to help solve such social problems as poverty and unequal opportunities for minorities, women, and the handicapped | 80 |
12 |
8 |
| Fund programs to deal with important national educational problems, such as illiteracy and poor math achievement | 78 |
15 |
7 |
| Provide recognition and awards for high achievement by students, teachers, and schools | 76 |
17 |
7 |
| Support a national testing program for public school students | 74 |
17 |
9 |
| Collect and report information and statistics that measure the performance of education in the nation | 73 |
18 |
9 |
| Fund research and development in areas of need, such as the curriculum and teaching methods | 72 |
19 |
9 |
| Provide financing for scholarships and fellowships for college students | 72 |
20 |
8 |
| Provide financial aid to the states through block grants that can be used for education or for any other purpose | 57 |
30 |
13 |
Federal/State/Local Government
Question 10: Would you like the federal government in Washington to have more influence, or less influence, on improving the local public schools? How about the state government? How about the local government? (Asked in: 1982, 1986, 1987.)
[Code: 188-GovFX-10]
National Totals: 1987 | ||||
More % | Less % |
Same Amount (Volunteered) % |
Don't Know % | |
| Federal Government | 37 | 39 |
14 |
10 |
| State Government | 55 | 21 |
15 |
9 |
| Local Government | 62 |
15 |
15 |
8 |
National Totals: 1986 |
||||
More % |
Less % |
Same Amount (Volunteered) % |
Don't Know % |
|
| Federal Government | 26 |
53 |
12 |
9 |
| State Government | 45 |
32 |
16 |
7 |
| Local Government | 57 |
17 |
17 |
9 |
National Totals: 1982 |
||||
More % |
Less % |
Same Amount (Volunteered) % |
Don't Know % |
|
| Federal Government | 28 |
54 |
10 |
8 |
| State Government | * |
* |
* |
* |
| Local Government | * |
* |
* |
* |
| *Not asked in 1982. | ||||
Federal/State/Local Government: Federal
Question 11: Thinking about the future, would you like to see the federal government in Washington have more influence or less influence in determining the educational programs of the local public schools? (Asked in: 1995, 2000.)
[Code: 187-GovFF-11]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | More Influence % | Less Influence % |
Same Amount % |
Don't Know % |
| 2000 | 33 | 61 |
* |
6 |
| 1995 | 28 | 64 |
5 |
3 |
| *Less than one-half of 1%. | ||||
Federal/State/Local Government: Local
Question 12: How about the local government? Would you like the local government to have more influence or less influence in determining the educational programs of the local schools? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 185-GovFL-12]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | More Influence % | Less Influence % |
Same Amount % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 64 | 24 |
8 |
4 |
Federal/State/Local Government: State
Question 13: How about the state government? Would you like the state government to have more influence or less influence in determining the educational programs of the local schools? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 186-GovFS-13]
National Totals |
||||
| Year | More Influence % |
Less Influence % |
Same Amount % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 52 |
37 |
8 |
3 |
Funding Priorities
Question 14: Because of the current strength of the nation's economy, many states have surplus budget funds available. Which one of the following do you think would be the best way to use surplus funds: 1) use them to reduce taxes, 2) spend them on the public schools, 3) spend them on other state services, or 4) build a "rainy day" or emergency fund for the state? (Asked in: 1998.)
[Code: 189-GovFX-14]
National Totals | |||||
| Year | Reduce Taxes % | Spend Them on Public Schools % |
Spend Them on Other State Services % |
Build a "Rainy Day" or Emergency Fund |
Don't Know % |
| 1998 | 31 | 50 |
4 |
14 |
1 |
Question 15: Here are a number of educational areas that receive government funding. To indicate how high a priority you think each area should have, would you mention a number between one and five -- the higher the number, the higher the priority; the lower the number, the lower the priority? (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 190-GovFX-15]
National Totals: 1999 | ||||||
1 % | 2 % |
3 % |
4 |
5 |
Don't Know % | |
| Update instructional materials and books | 2 | 2 |
4 |
20 |
72 |
* |
| School staff development and training | 2 | 2 |
8 |
23 |
65 |
* |
| Technology | 2 |
3 |
9 |
25 |
61 |
* |
| Keeping teachers' salaries competitive | 2 |
4 |
12 |
28 |
54 |
* |
| Class-size reduction | 3 |
4 |
16 |
26 |
50 |
1 |
| *Less than one-half of 1%. | ||||||
National Goals: Grading Government Officials
Question 16: Government officials at all levels have publicly committed themselves to improvement of the public schools by the year 2000. At this point, what grade would you give the following government officials for improving the public schools - A, B, C, D, or FAIL? (Asked in: 1992.)
[Code: 307-GovNG-16]
National Totals: 1992 |
||||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C |
D |
FAIL |
D&F % |
Don't Know % |
|
| President Bush | 15 |
3 |
12 |
30 |
25 |
21 |
46 |
9 |
| U.S. Congress | 7 |
1 |
6 |
30 |
30 |
22 |
52 |
11 |
| Your state governor | 19 |
4 |
15 |
30 |
22 |
19 |
41 |
10 |
| Your state legislators | 14 |
2 |
12 |
33 |
24 |
16 |
40 |
13 |
Question 17: As you may recall, by the early 1990s government officials at all levels had publicly committed themselves to improvement of the public schools by the year 2000. Thinking back to those government officials in office during the 1990s, what grade would you give each of the following for improving the public schools during that time -- A, B, C, D, or FAIL?(Asked in: 2001.)
[Code: 191-GovNG-17]
National Totals: 2001 |
|||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
|
| President Clinton | 40 |
8 |
32 |
31 |
12 |
13 |
4 |
| The U.S. Congress | 30 |
3 |
27 |
42 |
14 |
7 |
7 |
| Governor of your state | 46 |
10 |
36 |
29 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
| Your state legislature | 39 |
6 |
33 |
37 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
Question 18: President Barack Obama has been in office for almost six months. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, Fail scale? [President Barack Obama has been in office for over a year. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, Fail scale? [(As asked in 2010)]
[President Barack Obama has been in office for over two years. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, Fail scale? [(As asked in 2011)]
[President Barack Obama has been in office for over three years. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, Fail scale? [(As asked in 2012)]
President Obama is starting his second term in office. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, or Fail scale? [(As asked in: 2013.)]
President Obama is continuing his second term in office. How would you grade his performance in support of public schools using the A, B, C, D, or Fail scale? (As asked in: 2014 and 2015.)
(Asked in: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.)
[Code: 876-Gov1NG-18] Phone and online polls
National Totals 2015 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
37 |
9 |
28 |
24 |
15 |
20 |
4 |
National Totals 2014 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
27 |
5 |
22 |
29 |
16 |
27 |
2 |
National Totals 2013 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
36 |
9 |
27 |
27 |
15 |
18 |
5 |
National Totals 2012 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
37 |
10 |
27 |
25 |
17 |
17 |
4 |
National Totals 2011 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
41 |
11 |
30 |
25 |
14 |
15 |
5 |
National Totals 2010 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
34 |
7 |
27 |
26 |
18 |
15 |
7 |
National Totals 2009 |
||||||
A&B % |
A % |
B % |
C % |
D % |
FAIL % |
Don't Know % |
45 |
12 |
33 |
26 |
11 |
10 |
8 |
Which Unit of Government?
Question 19: Which unit of government -- federal, state, or local -- do you believe is most responsible for the following education issues? Paying for the K-12 education system? Setting standards for what students should know? Deciding what should be taught in schools? Holding schools accountable for what students learn?(Asked in: 2010, 2015.)
[Code: 891-GovOX-19]
Year: 2015 |
||||
Federal % |
State % |
Local % |
Don't know % |
|
| Paying for the K-12 education system | 23 |
46 |
26 |
4 |
| Deciding which textbooks and teaching methods should be used | 20 |
37 |
39 |
5 |
| Holding schools accountable for what students learn | 19 |
44 |
33 |
4 |
| Determining the right amount of testing | 21 |
42 |
31 |
6 |
Year: 2010 |
||||
Federal % |
State % |
Local % |
Don't know % |
|
| Paying for the K-12 education system | 20 |
50 |
29 |
1 |
| Setting standards for what students should know | 35 |
46 |
18 |
1 |
| Deciding what should be taught in schools | 28 |
43 |
28 |
1 |
| Holding schools accountable for what students learn | 19 |
45 |
35 |
1 |
National Programs
Question 20: Of the following national education programs, which do you think is most important: developing demanding education standards, creating better tests to more accurately measure student achievement, improving the quality of our teachers, or improving the nation's lowest-performing schools? (Asked in: 2010.)
[Code: 892-GovOX-20]
National Totals '10 | |
| Developing demanding education standards | 24 |
| Creating better tests to more accurately measure student achievement | 11 |
| Improving the quality of our teachers | 44 |
| Improving the nation's lowest-performing schools | 20 |
| Don't know | 1 |
Other Proposals
Question 21: As I read off each of the following measures that would be part of a national education program, would you tell me whether you would favor or oppose it?(Asked in: 2001.)
[Code: 193-GovOX-21]
National Totals : 2001 | |||
Favor % | Oppose % | Don't Know % | |
| Increased use of standardized tests for measuring student achievement | 63 | 35 | 2 |
| Holding the public schools accountable for how much students learn | 81 | 18 | 1 |
| Giving the states greater authority in deciding how federal funds should be used | 71 |
25 |
4 |
National Totals 2011 % |
Rep. 2011 % |
Dem. 2011 % |
Ind. 2011 % |
|
| Require teachers to follow a prescribed curriculum | 26 |
30 |
24 |
24 |
| Give teachers flexibility | 73 |
69 |
75 |
74 |
| Don't know or refused | 2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Question 23: Say a public school has had failing test scores for a number of years. Who should make the decision on what to do about the problem. Should it be the governor of the state, the state education agency, or the local school district? (Asked in: 2017.)
[Code: 1061-Gov1AX-23]
National Totals | ||||
| Year | Governor % |
State agency % |
Local district % |
Don't Know % |
| 2017 | 15 |
32 |
48 |
5 |
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Last modified
July 5, 2018
k_q_government_1.htm