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Quality of Education
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Section 5: Problems Facing Schools

Drugs/Alcohol
Question 1: Do you feel that the local public schools are doing a good job of teaching the bad effects of drug use? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 554-QuaPD-1]

Question 2: Is the use of drugs by young people a serious problem in this community? What about alcoholic drinks? (Asked in: 1975.)
[Code: 558-QuaPD-2]

Question 3: Marijuana and other drugs are increasingly being used by students. Do you think it is a serious problem in your public schools? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 559-QuaPD-3]

Question 4: What about the use of alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) by students here? Is it a serious problem, or not? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 561-QuaPD-4]

Question 5: What about hard drug use (heroin, cocaine, etc.)? Is it a serious problem among students here? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 560-QuaPD-5]

Question 6: From what you have heard or read, is the use of marijuana by students enrolled in junior high (middle school) or high school here a serious problem, or not? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 555-QuaPD-6]

Question 7: How much confidence do you have in your local public schools to deal with alcohol abuse? (Asked in: 1988.)
[Code: 556-QuaPD-7]

Question 8: This card lists various ways to deal with the problem of drugs in the public schools. As I read off each one of these plans, would you tell me whether you would favor or oppose its use in the public schools in your community? Requiring instruction for all students in the dangers of drug abuse; Permitting expulsion of students who are caught using drugs in school buildings or on school grounds; Use of school funds to provide counseling and treatment for students who use drugs; Permitting teachers or school authorities to search lockers or personal property if they suspect drugs, without obtaining a court-issued search warrant; Testing students for drug use by urinalysis (Asked in: 1986.)
[Code: 604-QuaPD-8]

Question 9: How much confidence do you have in your local public schools to deal with drug abuse? (Asked in: 1988.)
[Code: 557-QuaPD-9]

Topic: How Serious
Question 10: I am going to read off several of the problems facing the public schools, nationally, one at a time. For each problem, please tell me how serious you think that problem is in the public schools in your community -- is it very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? Lack of student discipline; Getting good teachers; Overcrowding Fighting, violence, gangs. (Asked in: 2002.)
[Code: 563-QuaPH-10]

School Improvement
Question 11: Here is a list of measures that have been proposed for improving the academic achievement of public school students. As I read each one, would you tell me whether you believe that measure would improve the achievement of the students in the local public schools a great deal, quite a lot, not very much, or not at all? Placing a computer in every classroom; Establishing national standards for measuring the academic performance of the public schools; Moving persistent "troublemakers" into alternative schools; Allowing parents and students to attend the public school of their choice; Using standardized national tests to measure the academic achievement of students; Grouping students in classes according to ability level; Establishing a national curriculum; Providing healthcare services in schools; Lengthening the school year; Lengthening the school day. (Asked in: 1997.)
[Code: 564-QuaPI-11]

Question 12: If there was one thing you could change to improve the public schools in your community, what would that be? Discipline/more control/stricter rules; More teachers/smaller class size; Better/more qualified teachers; Funding; Security; Prayer/God back in schools; Dress code/uniforms; Higher pay for teachers; More parent involvement; Academic standards/better education; Curriculum/more offered; More/updated equipment/books/computers. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 565-QuaPI-12]

Question 13: Of the following four possibilities, which one do you think offers the most promise for improving the public schools in your community: rigorous academic standards; a qualified, competent teacher in every classroom; the elimination of social promotion (that is, moving students from grade to grade to keep them in their own age group); or free choice for parents among a number of private, church-related, and public schools? (Asked in: 2000.)
[Code: 566-QuaPI-13]

Obstacles to Improvement
Question 14: In your opinion who or what is the main obstacle to improving the public schools in your community? Finances/funding; Parents/lack of parent involvement; Government; Board of education/superintendent; Better teachers; Politics/politicians; Taxpayers/general public; Unions/teacher unions/NEA; Lack of discipline/teachers can't discipline; Students/kids; Administration/administrators. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 568-QuaPI-14]

Physical Punishment
Question 15: Spanking and similar forms of physical punishment are permitted in the lower grades of some schools for children who do not respond well to other forms of discipline. Do you approve or disapprove of this practice? (Asked in: 1970, 1988.)
[Code: 569-QuaPP-15]

Poor Performance
Question 16: When some children do poorly in school, some people place the blame on the children, some on the children's home life, some on the school, and some on the teachers. Of course, all of these things share the blame, but where would you place the chief blame? (Asked in: 1971, 1972.)
[Code: 570-QuaPP-16]

Reasons for Decline in National Test Scores
Question 17: Here are some reasons that have been given to explain the decline in national test scores. Will you look over these reasons and then tell me which ones you think are most responsible for this decline. 1. Less parent attention, concern, and supervision of the child 2. Students aren't as motivated to do well 3. Too much television viewing 4. Society is becoming too permissive 5. Teachers are giving less attention to students 6. It's easier to get into college now 7. Schools are expanding the number of courses offered 8. The tests are not reliable (Asked in: 1976.)
[Code: 571-QuaPR-17]

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POLL RESULTS

Problems Facing Schools

Drugs/Alcohol
Question 1: Marijuana and other drugs are increasingly being used by students. Do you think it is a serious problem in your public schools? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 559-QuaPD-1]

Question 2: Do you feel that the local public schools are doing a good job of teaching the bad effects of drug use? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 554-QuaPD-2]

Question 3: Is the use of drugs by young people a serious problem in this community? What about alcoholic drinks? (Asked in: 1975.)
[Code: 558-QuaPD-3]

Question 4: From what you have heard or read, is the use of marijuana by students enrolled in junior high (middle school) or high school here a serious problem, or not? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 555-QuaPD-4]

Question 5: What about the use of alcohol (beer, wine, liquor) by students here? Is it a serious problem, or not? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 561-QuaPD-5]

Question 6: What about hard drug use (heroin, cocaine, etc.)? Is it a serious problem among students here? (Asked in: 1978.)
[Code: 560-QuaPD-6]

Question 7: This card lists various ways to deal with the problem of drugs in the public schools. As I read off each one of these plans, would you tell me whether you would favor or oppose its use in the public schools in your community? Requiring instruction for all students in the dangers of drug abuse; Permitting expulsion of students who are caught using drugs in school buildings or on school grounds; Use of school funds to provide counseling and treatment for students who use drugs; Permitting teachers or school authorities to search lockers or personal property if they suspect drugs, without obtaining a court-issued search warrant; Testing students for drug use by urinalysis. (Asked in: 1986.)
[Code: 604-QuaPD-7]

Question 8: How much confidence do you have in your local public schools to deal with alcohol abuse? (Asked in: 1988.)
[Code: 556-QuaPD-8]

Question 9: How much confidence do you have in your local public schools to deal with drug abuse? (Asked in: 1988.)
[Code: 557-QuaPD-9]

How Serious
Question 10: I am going to read off several of the problems facing the public schools, nationally, one at a time. For each problem, please tell me how serious you think that problem is in the public schools in your community -- is it very serious, somewhat serious, not too serious, or not at all serious? Lack of student discipline; Getting good teachers; Overcrowding; Fighting, violence, gangs. (Asked in: 2002.)
[Code: 563-QuaPH-10]

School Improvement
Question 11: Here is a list of measures that have been proposed for improving the academic achievement of public school students. As I read each one, would you tell me whether you believe that measure would improve the achievement of the students in the local public schools a great deal, quite a lot, not very much, or not at all? Placing a computer in every classroom; Establishing national standards for measuring the academic performance of the public schools; Moving persistent "troublemakers" into alternative schools; Allowing parents and students to attend the public school of their choice; Using standardized national tests to measure the academic achievement of students; Grouping students in classes according to ability level; Establishing a national curriculum; Providing healthcare services in schools; Lengthening the school year; Lengthening the school day. (Asked in: 1997.)
[Code: 564-QuaPI-11]

Question 12: If there was one thing you could change to improve the public schools in your community, what would that be? Discipline/more control/stricter rules; More teachers/smaller class size; Better/more qualified teachers; Funding; Security; Prayer/God back in schools; Dress code/uniforms; Higher pay for teachers; More parent involvement; Academic standards/better education; Curriculum/more offered; More/updated equipment/books/computers. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 565-QuaPI-12]

Question 13: Of the following four possibilities, which one do you think offers the most promise for improving the public schools in your community: rigorous academic standards; a qualified, competent teacher in every classroom; the elimination of social promotion (that is, moving students from grade to grade to keep them in their own age group); or free choice for parents among a number of private, church-related, and public schools? (Asked in: 2000.)

[Code: 566-QuaPI-13]

Obstacles to Improvement
Question 14: In your opinion who or what is the main obstacle to improving the public schools in your community? Finances/funding; Parents/lack of parent involvement; Government; Board of education/superintendent; Better teachers; Politics/politicians; Taxpayers/general public; Unions/teacher unions/NEA; Lack of discipline/teachers can't discipline; Students/kids; Administration/administrators. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 568-QuaPI-14]

Physical Punishment
Question 15: Spanking and similar forms of physical punishment are permitted in the lower grades of some schools for children who do not respond well to other forms of discipline. Do you approve or disapprove of this practice? (Asked in: 1970, 1988.)
[Code: 569-QuaPP-15]

Poor Performance
Question 16: When some children do poorly in school, some people place the blame on the children, some on the children's home life, some on the school, and some on the teachers. Of course, all of these things share the blame, but where would you place the chief blame? (Asked in: 1971, 1972.)
[Code: 570-QuaPP-16]

Reasons for Decline in National Test Scores
Question 17: Here are some reasons that have been given to explain the decline in national test scores. Will you look over these reasons and then tell me which ones you think are most responsible for this decline. 1. Less parent attention, concern, and supervision of the child 2. Students aren't as motivated to do well 3. Too much television viewing 4. Society is becoming too permissive 5. Teachers are giving less attention to students 6. It's easier to get into college now 7. Schools are expanding the number of courses offered 8. The tests are not reliable (Asked in: 1976.)
[Code: 571-QuaPR-17]

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Last modified August 6, 2012
k_q_quality_5.htm