Quality of Education
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Section 7: Problems Facing Schools (continued)
Safety and Order: Gangs
Question 1: Are student gangs that disrupt the school or bother other students a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem in the local public schools? (Asked in: 1974.)
[Code: 573-QuaPS-1]
Safety and Order: Violence
Question 2: As you probably know, there has been an increase in violence in the nation's public schools over the last decade. How important do you consider each of the following as a cause for this increased violence -- very important, quite important, not very important, or not at all important? Increased use of drugs and alcohol among school-age youth; Growth of youth gangs; Easy availability of weapons (guns, knives); A breakdown in the American family (e.g. an increase in one-parent and dysfunctional families); Schools do not have the authority to discipline that they once had; Increased portrayal of violence in the media (especially in movies and TV); Inability of school staff to resolve conflicts between students; Shortages in school personnel; Trying to deal with troubled or emotionally disturbed students in the regular classroom instead of in special classes or schools; A school curriculum that is out of touch with the needs of today's students; Cutbacks in many school support programs; Increased poverty among parents; Increased cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity among the public school student population. (Asked in: 1994.)
[Code: 576-QuaPS-2]
Question 3: How effective do you think each of the following measures would be in reducing violence in the public schools -- very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective, or not at all effective? Stronger penalties for possession of weapons by students; Training school staffs in how to deal with student violence; More vocational or job training courses in public schools; Drug and alcohol abuse programs for students; Values and ethics education for students; Education designed to reduce racial and ethnic tensions; Courses offered by the public schools in how to be a good parent; Conflict education for students. (Asked in: 1994.)
[Code: 583-QuaPS-3]
Question 4: Just your impression -- would you say that student violence in the public schools in your community has increased a great deal in recent years, increased some, declined some, declined a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 587-QuaPS-4]
Question 5: How about in the public schools nationwide? Is it your impression that student violence in the public schools nationwide has increased a great deal in recent years, increased some, declined some, decline a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 579-QuaPS-5]
Question 6: How about the public school attended by your oldest child? Is it your impression that student violence in this school has increased a great deal, increased some, declined some, declined a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 581-QuaPS-6]
Question 7: What, in your opinion, are the major causes of student violence in the public schools? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 595-QuaPS-7]
Question 8: Suppose a student in a public school in this community were guilty of violence against another student or a teacher. Which one of these two approaches would you prefer -- expelling the student from school or transferring the student to a separate facility for special attention? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 591-QuaPS-8]
Sexual Harassment
Question 9: How serious a problem would you say each of the following problems is in the public schools in your community -- very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious? Sexual harassment of students by other students; Sexual harassment of students by teachers and school staff. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 600-QuaPS-9]
Community Size
Question 10: In general, do you think that students today get a better education in schools that are located in small communities or in schools located in big cities? (Asked in: 1977.)
[Code: 601-QuaPC-10]
Urban Schools
Question 11: Just your impression, are the problems faced by the public schools in urban areas much more serious, somewhat more serious, somewhat less serious, or much less serious than those faced by the public schools in nonurban areas? (Asked in: 1997.)
[Code: 606-QuaPU-11]
Student Demonstrations
Question 12: Have there been any demonstrations protesting school policies or procedures in your public schools during this present school year? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 603-QuaPS-12]
Time Spent in School
Question 13: Some public schools in the nation have increased the amount of time students spend in school by extending the school year or the school day. Do you favor or oppose increasing the amount of time children spend in the local elementary schools? How about the high schools in your community? Do you favor or oppose increasing the amount of time students spend in the local high schools? (Asked in: 1996.)
[Code: 605-QuaPT-13]
What's Particularly Good About the Local Schools?
Question 14: In your opinion, in what ways are your local public schools particularly good? (Asked in: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977.)
[Code: 607-QuaPW-14]
View more questions related to QUALITY OF EDUCATION
POLL RESULTS
Problems Facing Schools
Safety and Order: Gangs
Question 1: Are student gangs that disrupt the school or bother other students a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem in the local public schools? (Asked in: 1974.)
[Code: 573-QuaPS-1]
|
National Totals (Public School Parents) |
||||
Year |
Yes, a big problem % |
Somewhat of a problem % |
Not a problem % |
Don't know/ no opinion % |
| 1974 | 17 |
31 |
32 |
20 |
Safety and Order: Violence
Question 2: As you probably know, there has been an increase in violence in the nation's public schools over the last decade. How important do you consider each of the following as a cause for this increased violence -- very important, quite important, not very important, or not at all important? Increased use of drugs and alcohol among school-age youth; Growth of youth gangs; Easy availability of weapons (guns, knives); A breakdown in the American family (e.g. an increase in one-parent and dysfunctional families); Schools do not have the authority to discipline that they once had; Increased portrayal of violence in the media (especially in movies and TV); Inability of school staff to resolve conflicts between students; Shortages in school personnel; Trying to deal with troubled or emotionally disturbed students in the regular classroom instead of in special classes or schools; A school curriculum that is out of touch with the needs of today's students; Cutbacks in many school support programs; Increased poverty among parents; Increased cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity among the public school student population. (Asked in: 1994.)
[Code: 576-QuaPS-2]
|
1994 National Totals |
|||||
Very important % |
Quite important % |
Not very important % |
Not important at all % |
Don't Know % |
|
| Increased use of drugs and alcohol among school-age youth | 78 |
17 |
3 |
2 |
- |
| Growth of youth gangs | 72 |
19 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
| Easy availability of weapons (guns, knives) | 72 |
15 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
| A breakdown in the American family (e.g. an increase in one-parent and dysfunctional families) | 70 |
20 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
| Schools do not have the authority to discipline that they once had | 65 |
22 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
| Increased portrayal of violence in the media (especially in movies and TV) | 60 |
20 |
14 |
5 |
1 |
| Inability of school staff to resolve conflicts between students | 59 |
26 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
| Shortages in school personnel | 52 |
26 |
15 |
5 |
2 |
| Trying to deal with troubled or emotionally disturbed students in the regular classroom instead of in special classes or schools | 51 |
27 |
16 |
4 |
2 |
| A school curriculum that is out of touch with the needs of today's students | 48 |
28 |
17 |
4 |
3 |
| Cutbacks in many school support programs | 45 |
27 |
18 |
6 |
4 |
| Increased poverty among parents | 44 |
29 |
20 |
6 |
1 |
| Increased cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity among the public school student population | 43 |
26 |
22 |
7 |
2 |
Question 3: How effective do you think each of the following measures would be in reducing violence in the public schools -- very effective, somewhat effective, not very effective, or not at all effective? Stronger penalties for possession of weapons by students; Training school staffs in how to deal with student violence; More vocational or job training courses in public schools; Drug and alcohol abuse programs for students; Values and ethics education for students; Education designed to reduce racial and ethnic tensions; Courses offered by the public schools in how to be a good parent; Conflict education for students. (Asked in: 1994.)
|
1994 National Totals |
|||||
Very effective % |
Somewhat effective % |
Not very effective % |
Not at all effective % |
Don't Know % |
|
| Stronger penalties for possession of weapons by students | 86 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
| Training school staffs in how to deal with student violence | 72 |
20 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
| More vocational or job training courses in public schools | 67 |
25 |
7 |
1 |
- |
| Drug and alcohol abuse programs for students | 66 |
23 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
| Values and ethics education for students | 60 |
27 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
| Education designed to reduce racial and ethnic tensions | 57 |
27 |
10 |
4 |
2 |
| Courses offered by the public schools in how to be a good parent | 51 |
28 |
15 |
5 |
1 |
| Conflict education for students | 45 |
35 |
11 |
3 |
6 |
Question 4: Just your impression -- would you say that student violence in the public schools in your community has increased a great deal in recent years, increased some, declined some, declined a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 587-QuaPS-4]
|
National Totals |
||||||
Year |
Increased a great deal % |
Increased some % |
Declined some % |
Declined a great deal % |
Remained about the same % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 37 |
30 |
5 |
1 |
25 |
2 |
Question 5: How about in the public schools nationwide? Is it your impression that student violence in the public schools nationwide has increased a great deal in recent years, increased some, declined some, decline a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 579-QuaPS-5]
|
National Totals |
||||||
Year |
Increased a great deal % |
Increased some % |
Declined some % |
Declined a great deal % |
Remained about the same % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 68 |
21 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
Question 6: How about the public school attended by your oldest child? Is it your impression that student violence in this school has increased a great deal, increased some, declined some, declined a great deal, or remained about the same? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 581-QuaPS-6]
|
National Totals |
||||||
Year |
Increased a great deal % |
Increased some % |
Declined some % |
Declined a great deal % |
Remained about the same % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 15 |
26 |
7 |
4 |
43 |
5 |
Question 7: What, in your opinion, are the major causes of student violence in the public schools? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 595-QuaPS-7]
|
1995 National Totals |
|
Major Causes |
% |
| Lack of parental control/disciipline/supervision/involvement/values | 24 |
| Lack of family structure/problems of family life/poverty | 20 |
| Drug related | 13 |
| Pupils' attitudes/boredom/disrespect/lack of self-esteem | 6 |
| Gang related | 5 |
| Integreation/segregation problems, racial disputes | 4 |
| TV/movies/pop music/newsmedia | 3 |
| Availability of guns/weapons | 3 |
Question 8: Suppose a student in a public school in this community were guilty of violence against another student or a teacher. Which one of these two approaches would you prefer -- expelling the student from school or transferring the student to a separate facility for special attention? (Asked in: 1995.)
[Code: 591-QuaPS-8]
|
National Totals |
||||
Year |
Expulsion % |
Transfer % |
Neither % |
Don't Know % |
| 1995 | 20 |
77 |
2 |
1 |
Sexual Harassment
Question 9: How serious a problem would you say each of the following problems is in the public schools in your community -- very serious, somewhat serious, not very serious, or not at all serious? Sexual harassment of students by other students; Sexual harassment of students by teachers and school staff. (Asked in: 1999.)
[Code: 600-QuaPS-9]
|
1999 National Totals |
|||||
Very serious % |
Somewhat serious % |
Not very serious % |
Not at all serious % |
Don't Know % |
|
| Sexual harassment of students by other students |
22 |
30 |
30 |
10 |
8 |
| Sexual harassment of students by teachers and school staff |
15 |
17 |
35 |
23 |
10 |
Community Size
Question 10: In general, do you think that students today get a better education in schools that are located in small communities or in schools located in big cities? (Asked in: 1977.)
[Code: 601-QuaPC-10]
National Totals |
||||
Year |
Small Communities % |
Big Cities % |
Makes No Difference % |
Don't Know % |
| 1977 | 68 |
11 |
12 |
9 |
Urban Schools
Question 11: Just your impression, are the problems faced by the public schools in urban areas much more serious, somewhat more serious, somewhat less serious, or much less serious than those faced by the public schools in nonurban areas? (Asked in: 1997.)
[Code: 606-QuaPU-11]
|
National Totals |
|||||
Much more serious % |
Somewhat more serious % |
Somewhat less serious % |
Much less serious % |
Don't Know % |
|
| 1997 | 40 |
29 |
16 |
7 |
8 |
Student Demonstrations
Question 12: Have there been any demonstrations protesting school policies or procedures in your public schools during this present school year? (Asked in: 1970.)
[Code: 603-QuaPS-12]
National Totals |
|||
Year |
Yes % |
No % |
Don't Know % |
| 1970 | 19 |
64 |
17 |
Time Spent in School
Question 13: Some public schools in the nation have increased the amount of time students spend in school by extending the school year or the school day. Do you favor or oppose increasing the amount of time children spend in the local elementary schools? How about the high schools in your community? Do you favor or oppose increasing the amount of time students spend in the local high schools? (Asked in: 1996.)
[Code: 605-QuaPT-13]
|
1996 National Totals |
|||
Year |
Favor % |
Oppose % |
Don't Know % |
| Local elementary schools | 49 |
48 |
3 |
| Local high schools | 60 |
37 |
3 |
What's Particularly Good About the Local Schools?
Question 14: In your opinion, in what ways are your local public schools particularly good? (Asked in: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1977.)
[Code: 607-QuaPW-14]
|
National Totals |
||||
Major Causes |
1971 % |
1972 % |
1973 % |
1977 % |
| The curriculum | 15 |
21 |
26 |
23 |
| The teachers | 21 |
19 |
23 |
20 |
| Extracurricular activities | 3 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
| School facilities | 9 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
| Equal opportunity for all students | 1 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
| Good administraiton | 2 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
| Parental interest/participation | 2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Good student/teacher realtionships | 2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Good discipline | 1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Small school or small classes | 2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Up-to-date teaching methods | 5 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
| No racial conflicts | 3 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
| Good lunch program | - |
- |
1 |
1 |
| Transportation system | 1 |
- |
- |
1 |
| Kids are kept off the street | - |
- |
1 |
1 |
| Close to home | - |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Nothing is good | 7 |
7 |
6 |
9 |
| Don't know/no answer | 27 |
33 |
28 |
31 |
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Last modified
August 6, 2012
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