SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 30, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- As the state legislature gets set to reconvene next Monday and Governor Schwarzenegger launches a new term, voters are looking for comprehensive changes to the public education system and they support a reform approach combining more funding with tighter financial accountability, including more accessible information. This is according to a new, bipartisan, statewide survey of voters conducted on November 8-9 by leading Republican and Democratic polling agencies, Public Opinion Strategies and Evans/McDonough, respectively. The poll was sponsored by Children Now, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to assuring all children thrive.
"This poll shows public consensus that major changes to California's school system are needed now and it's driven by the recognition that children aren't being educated well enough to make it today," said Gene Ulm, a Public Opinion Strategies partner. "It also shows broad-based voter support of more funding for schools, but only if there's much greater accountability attached to it."
Key findings of the poll include:
-- 84% believe "every public school should have the materials and
teachers needed to implement standards-based education even if it
means increasing education funding"
-- 77% favor "paying higher salaries to teachers that have students
that need extra educational help or teach subjects that require
additional training"
-- 88% favor "requiring more ongoing training for teachers to make
sure they stay qualified to teach"
-- 92% favor "requiring better and more accessible information so
that we can understand where our education tax dollars are being
spent"
-- 85% favor "requiring better and more accessible information so that
we can understand how well specific classrooms are performing"
-- Nearly eight in ten voters want either a "complete dismantling and
redesign of our public education system" (27%) or "comprehensive
reforms that make significant changes to the system" (52%)
-- 85% believe there are too many students in California leaving
school without enough education to make it in today's economy
"We're confident the state's leadership and major interest groups, including education and business, can work together on an effective, balanced solution that will return our education system to excellence," said Ted Lempert, president of Children Now, which is involved in a major effort to reform K-12. "Following the election, voters are demanding a course of action that better educates our kids for success in life."
Children Now is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization working to raise children's well-being to the top of the national policy agenda. The organization focuses on ensuring quality health care, a solid education and a positive media environment for all children. Children Now's strategic approach creates awareness of children's needs, develops effective policy solutions and engages those who can make change happen.
The Children Now logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2732