Keith Geiger's Reaction to Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Survey
"The American public once again speaks out loud and clear against
vouchers and the privatization of education in the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup
Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools.
"This latest poll should lay to rest the myth that the American
people believe that vouchers are the answer to improving education. Once
again, the American people have said clearly and unequivocally that they
oppose siphoning public tax dollars from public schools. As the poll's
authors state: "No matter how the question is asked, people oppose
using tax dollars to support nonpublic schools."
"The findings of this most recent poll affirm the results of a telephone
survey conducted just last month by a GOP pollster for the NEA. The NEA
polled a nationally representative sample of registered voters who identify
themselves as Republicans, 53% identifying themselves as conservatives.
In the NEA poll,
61% of respondents say that tax dollars should be used for public rather
than private schools - exactly the results reported in the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup
poll released today.
"This poll also debunks a whole series of familiar but untrue perceptions
about schools. The fact is, there are many public school successes - SAT
scores are up, dropout rates are falling, and college attendance is rising.
"The new school year is beginning in communities across this country.
Take a moment, visit a local public school, and see the educators in action
across this nation who, as the poll confirms, are "very or quite
committed" to improving public education."
Poll results discredit Michael Joyce remarks
The Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll, the recent NEA poll of Republicans and
other surveys demonstrate clearly that the public opposes spending tax
money on public schools - contrary to comments being made by Michael Joyce,
president of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee, and
other supporters of voucher programs.
Joyce was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 27 - the same
day that the Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll was released - as saying that
"an overwhelming majority of citizens in Milwaukee and Wisconsin
support" private school vouchers.
The polls show just the opposite.
Posted August 27, 1996