Realtors' Survey Finds Increasing Support for Public Education

An increasing number of Wisconsin residents are satisfied with the amount they pay for public education, according to a new survey by the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

In the survey conducted this fall, 62% of Wisconsin residents said they are satisfied with the amount they pay toward public education, compared with 57% in spring 2003 and 53% in fall of 2002.

In other survey results:

• More state residents are satisfied with the quality of public schools in their areas today than six months or a year ago. In all, three out of four respondents (76%) are satisfied with the quality of public schools in their area. Two-thirds (68%) are satisfied with the quality of instruction in their schools and the value they get for their education dollars.
• Half of those polled think we currently spend about the right amount on teacher training, technology in schools, and school safety and discipline. But over half (54%) think we should spend more on core curriculums such as reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• A majority of respondents say they would support programs that would increase their property taxes by $100 a year for initiatives such as increasing teacher training, school safety and discipline, and paying for computers and other equipment in schools.
• Strong majorities would support increases in property taxes to ensure smaller class sizes (66%) and for instruction in core curriculums (79%).
• In addition to fulfilling their mission of educating students, local schools are credited with other community benefits. Schools strengthen families (68% said a great deal or a fair amount) and they promote stronger neighborhoods (64%). More than half of the respondents (59%) believe public schools strengthen the local economy, and 75% believe they contribute to the overall quality of life.

The results are from a statewide survey of 600 Wisconsin residents, 18 years
and older, conducted in October 2003. It has a sampling error of plus or
minus 4%. The survey was conducted as part of the association's Quality of Life initiative. Detailed results can be found on the WRA Web site.

Resource page on school funding

Posted December 2, 2003