If you were to listen to the Virginia Education Association on school choice, you would think that it’s the worst thing in the world.
“I really believe there is an underlying bigotry at the bottom of it all,” said VEA President Kitty Boitnott earlier this year.
If that is the case, then most of Virginia’s families are bigoted, according to a new survey.
The “School Choice in the State” survey, conducted by Braun Research (a firm which has conducted polling for Newsweek, Gallup, Pew, etc.), found that two-thirds of Virginians think public schools are good or excellent, which is fantastic compared to other polling in other states. But also from the survey 6 in 10 Virginians favor tax credits, vouchers, and charter schools.
“Virginia voters say you can support public schools and at the same time support access to more alternatives,” said Paul DiPerna, Research Director for the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, in a recent conference call with bloggers. “It’s not one or the other, as some have suggested.”
DiPerna also said that this is not a partisan issue, and the survey results back him up. Specifically:
First, there is the level of support:
* Tax-credit scholarships D: 64%; R: 68%; I: 66%
* School vouchers D: 53%; R: 67%; I: 58%
* Special needs school vouchers: D: 81%; R: 79%; I: 76%
Second there is the favorability gap:
* Tax-credit scholarships D: +43; R: +46; I: +44
* School vouchers D: +15; R: +39; I: +22
* Special needs school vouchers D: +67; R: +64; I: +60
“This is certainly not an ‘us versus them’ issue,” said Del. Chris Saxman, head of School Choice Virginia. “This is about doing what’s right; about ensuring that parents have options for their kids; about doing what’s in the best interest of the child.”
But the survey also found several key disconnects.
For example, 40% of respondents would choose to send their children to public schools, but 90% do. 35% would prefer to send their kids to private schools, but only 9 percent do. 8% would like to send their kids to charter schools, only three exist in the state serving 190 kids.
Also, the public greatly underestimates the cost of public school. Less than 1 in 10 voters were able to accurately estimate how much it costs to send a child to public school. So, what is accurate? According to the National Center for Education Statistics in March 2009, the 2007 estimate had per pupil costs at$11,663.
And, where you live plays a big part in how favorable you view the public schools. For example, 70% of Northern Virginians have a positive view of the school system and 67% of suburbanites share that view too. However, in Hampton Roads, only 53% view the schools as positive and in urban areas or small towns, while public schools are viewed about ten percent less positive than their suburban counterparts.
There also is a key point to be made about how recent graduates and child-age families feel about the public school system. The Family Foundation points out from the survey:
“Younger Virginians (those just out of school or in parenting years) more supportive of education choice than older Virginians. In other words, those with the most recent experience with public schools are less likely to want their children to attend them.”
Ultimately, proponents of school choice are looking to the General Assembly – both Republicans and Democrats – to see the results of this survey for what it is: a clear sign from the public that they want more options and they want something done.
“School choice is a win-win for the state, the public school system, and the general public,” said Saxman. “But the ultimate beneficiaries are the kids.”
Cross-posted at Washington Times’ “Virginia Battleground”
