Public confidence in public schools has shown a steady decline over the past forty years. Just in the past year, the confidence dropped five percentage points.
I don’t have a good understanding of what the underlying causes may be for this significant and steady change for the worse. Is it possible that this data isn’t valid? Only Congress and the Banks show as having 2012 results that are worse compared to the historical averages than does the public school system.
Are things really this bad? If so, what do we as leaders need to do to improve public confidence?
Confidence in U.S. Public Schools at New Low.
I suggest that any efforts to increase confidence in the public school system are laudable, but the Gallup results are noted in the article as being indicative of a distaste for institutions in general, with all 16 showing a decline in support. While this is no reason for complacency, when polls ask respondents about the public school their chidren attend, they are more supportive. I know that we are very happy with our local public school, and especially the teacher our daughter had last year. Perhaps the message goes back to that old slogan: “Think global, act local.”
Martin,
You pointed out a very valid aspect of the poll’s implications – that a majority of the institutions are below historical averages. Public schools are lower than many others. The lack of confidence is likely attributable to the overal lack of confidence that many have in the state of our entire country and institutions in general.
I do wonder if the larger historical confidence decline in schools compared to other institutions can be attributed to contextual changes? With media coverage of stories that highlight bad things that can occur in schools such as inappropriate teacher and student relationships, fights at school events, cheating, and the like are contributing to a declining public sentiment. The Internet and social media only compound this issue.
I would imagine that anyone responding to this poll after watching the fairly recent movie, Waiting for “Superman”, would report low confidence in public education.
I feel that thirty years ago we had similarly excellent teachers, administrators, facilities, and everything else that comprises the institution of public education. So, I wonder, what has caused the public sentiment to change so markedly. I just can’t accept that the decline in confidence is justified and am not searching for reasons to rationalize poor performance, but trying to identify and attribute reasons for the change in perception.