voter perceptions: common core state standards and assessments

Voter Perceptions: Common Core State

Standards & Tests

Project # 13480

Key Findings From A National Survey of N=800 Voters. Conducted November 14-18, 2013; Margin of Error +3.5%.

2

Perceptions of

Public Education

3 *Asked of N=397 registered voters. ^Asked of N=403 registered voters.

In the issue landscape, public education is on par with the economy and government spending.

Perceptions of Public Education

Now, thinking about some issues facing our country, please tell me how important each of the following issues are for the government to address.

Issues % Extremely

Important % Extremely/Very

Important

Job creation and economic growth 43% 88%

Reducing the federal budget deficit and government spending 41% 78%

Improving the quality of public education 40% 82%

Improving the health care system 34% 73%

Combating terrorism at home in the United States and overseas 33% 72%

Securing our borders and addressing the issue of immigration 28% 63%

Investing in alternative energy sources* 21% 53%

Reducing taxes^ 21% 52%

4

9%

35%

32%

20%

43%

54%

Working pretty well now

A complete overhaul is

needed

Major changes are needed

Some changes are needed, but basically should

be kept the same


Few voters think K-12 public education is working pretty well. A majority believe students are graduating high school unprepared.

When it comes to public education in grades K through 12

in our country, do you think our public schools….

Breakdowns may not add to total due to rounding.

And, when it comes to having sufficient academic knowledge and skills, do you believe graduates of our nation’s public high schools are – very prepared, somewhat prepared, somewhat unprepared or very unprepared – to meet the expectations

they face as they take the next steps after high school?

Prepared Unprepared

5

66%

28%

3%


A majority of voters say academic requirements for students in public schools should be raised.

Asked of N=397 registered voters.

In general, do you believe academic requirements for students in public schools should be raised, lowered, or kept the same as they are right now?

Raised Kept The Same Lowered

6

36% 37%

13%


Voters have mixed views on the current amount of student testing.

In general, do you believe that students in public schools are given too many standardized tests, not enough standardized tests, or about the right amount of standardized tests throughout the school year?

Asked of N=403 registered voters.

Too Many Right Amount Not Enough

7

67%

30%


About two-thirds of voters say it is better for states to have the same standards in math and English rather than having different standards.

I am going to read you two statements about education standards in subjects such as mathematics, reading, and English language skills, and please tell me which comes closer to your point of view on this.

It is better for all states to have the SAME STANDARDS at each grade level in math and English so students across the

country have to meet the same expectations.

It is better for all states to have their OWN STANDARDS at each grade level in

math and English so each state can be sure that the standards reflect their own

priorities.

OR

Standards asked of N=397 registered voters.

8

61%

34%


Similarly, a majority say it is better for states to have the same tests in math and English rather than having different tests.

I am going to read you two statements about education tests in subjects such as mathematics, reading, and English language skills, and please tell me which comes closer to your point of view on this.

It is better for all states to have the SAME TESTS at each grade level in math

and English so test scores can be compared across states.

It is better for all states to have their OWN TESTS at each grade level in math

and English so each state can be sure the tests reflect their own priorities.

OR

Tests asked of N=403 registered voters.

9

The Common Core State Standards

(CCSS)

10

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

A majority of voters report hearing little or nothing about CCSS. Those who are aware of CCSS are split in their opinion of the standards.

Over the last few years a new set of educational standards were developed for English and math for students in grades K through 12. They are called Common Core State Standards and they are now being implemented by 45 states across the

country. Thinking about the last six months, how much have you

seen, read or heard about these Common Core State Standards? (A lot, some, not much, nothing at all)

37% 37%

63%

40%

16% A Lot

39% Nothing

Opinion of the CCSS Among N=483 Who Are Aware Of The Standards

(Margin of Error of N=483 is +4.5%) And, has what you have seen, read or heard recently about the Common Core State Standards given you a favorable or

unfavorable impression of the standards?

A Lot/Some Not Too Much/ Nothing At All Favorable Unfavorable

11


When all voters are asked if they favor or oppose implementing the CCSS in their state, a plurality offers their support.

Based on what you know about them, do you favor or oppose implementing the Common Core State Standards here in (STATE)?

Strongly Favor 14%

Somewhat Favor 26%

Somewhat Oppose

11%

Strongly Oppose

14%

Don't Know/ Refused

35%

Total Favor 40% Total Oppose 25%

12

Respondents were provided with the following information about the Common Core State Standards and asked if they

would favor or oppose their implementation:

Over the last few years a new set of educational standards were developed for English and math for students in grades K through 12. They are called the Common Core State

Standards and are now being taught in classrooms in 45 states across the country.

The standards were developed under the guidance of state governors and state school chiefs who relied on teachers, content experts, and higher education faculty

to help draft and review them.

The goal of the standards is to help all students have the knowledge and skills they need in English and math so that they will be prepared as they leave high school and enter the

workforce or go on to college, and that all students would be held to the same expectations, regardless of their state, school, or district.

13

69%

23%


After hearing the brief description, a solid majority of voters say they favor implementing the Common Core State Standards.

Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these Common Core State Standards?

% Strongly Favor % Favor

Men 32% 65%

Women 39% 73%

18-44 31% 69%

45+ 40% 70%

<College 38% 73%

College + 32% 65%

White 31% 67%

African American 53% 81%

Hispanic 48% 77%

Republican 28% 61%

Independent 25% 65%

Democrat 46% 80%

Northeast 37% 70%

Midwest 33% 72%

South 37% 67%

West 34% 69%

Public School Moms 42% 76%

Public School Dads 24% 58%

Teacher/Education Households 30% 66%

Union Households 37% 68%

Support Tea Party 30% 56%

Not Support Tea Party 38% 75%

36% Strongly

13% Strongly

Favor Oppose

14


By almost a two-to-one margin, a majority of voters side with supporters when provided with the key arguments of the CCSS debate.

Supporters say these Common Core State Standards are more challenging for students so they will be better prepared by the end of high school for college and careers. They say there has been too much “teaching to the test” in the past and these standards change that by emphasizing real

learning and real world skills, like critical thinking and problem solving.

Opponents say these Common Core State Standards have not been tested in the classroom and there is no evidence they will work or improve education in our state. They say these standards are an attempt to

federalize education by imposing a "one‐size‐fits‐all" approach to teaching and measuring student ability.

…while…

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The Common Core State Standards

Assessments

16

Respondents were provided with the following information about the Common Core State Standards Assessments and asked if they would favor or oppose their implementation:

As the Common Core State Standards are being implemented and taught, new tests aligned to the standards are also under development.

These new tests are designed to help determine what students know and can do, and whether they are on track to graduate from high school

ready for college or the workforce. Over time, these new tests would replace the current end of year state tests being given here in (STATE).

17

66%

22%

The Common Core State Standards Assessments (CCSS Assessments)

A strong majority support implementation of the CCSS assessments.

Do you favor or oppose implementing these new tests?

% Strongly Favor % Favor

Men 28% 61%

Women 34% 70%

18-44 31% 68%

45+ 31% 65%

<College 33% 71%

College + 27% 59%

White 26% 62%

African American 57% 87%

Hispanic 40% 73%

Republican 20% 57%

Independent 22% 55%

Democrat 43% 76%

Northeast 30% 63%

Midwest 31% 68%

South 33% 67%

West 28% 66%

Public School Moms 46% 75%

Public School Dads 23% 56%

Teacher/Education Households 26% 63%

Union Households 32% 62%

Support Tea Party 22% 57%

Not Support Tea Party 34% 70%

31% Strongly

13% Strongly

Favor Oppose

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Respondents were asked if they agree or disagree with the following statements knowing that in some states student

test scores have dropped since CCSS implementation: These lower test scores should be expected in this early phase of implementation, because with

any new system there is always a period of adjustment as teachers and students get used to the new standards and tests.*

Rather than blaming the tests for lower scores, we should give the new standards and tests time to work.

These lower test scores should be expected in this early phase of implementation, because with any new system there is always a period of adjustment as teachers and students get used to the new

standards and tests. When teachers and students are more familiar with the standards, student test scores will go back up.^

These lower tests scores prove that previous tests were not challenging enough and did not accurately measure what students need to know and be able to do to be successful.

These lower test scores prove that the Common Core standards do not work and they are actually lowering student performance rather than raising it.

*Asked of N=397 registered voters. ^Asked of N=403 registered voters.

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4%

6%

6%

11%

12%

12%

11%

13%

14%

26%

8%

9%

13%

21%

30%

35%

36%

35%

28%

16%

41%

38%

33%

26%

16%


The majority of voters disagree that a drop in test scores means the CCSS are not working. Instead, most voters agree an adjustment period is natural and we need to give the standards time to work.

Give the new standards and tests time to work

76%

Don’t Know/Refused Strongly Disagree Somewhat Disagree Somewhat Agree Strongly Agree

20%

Proves previous tests were not challenging enough

Period of adjustment / Test scores will go back up^

74% 21%

32% 56%

Period of adjustment*

54%

26%

Proves Common Core State Standards do not work

69%

35%

*Asked of N=397 registered voters. ^Asked of N=403 registered voters. Breakdowns may not add to total due to rounding.

20

81%

15%


There is overwhelming support for giving teachers and students time to adjust before there are consequences for the CCSS test results.

And, knowing that test scores may drop as these new standards and tests are implemented would you favor or

oppose giving teachers and students time to adjust to the new expectations before there are consequences for test results?

54% Strongly

9% Strongly

Favor Oppose

And, how much time do you think teachers and students should be given to adjust to the new expectations before

there are consequences for test results?

8%

31%

27%

18%

10%

There should be no delay or

time given

One year

Two years

Three years or more

There should not be

consequences

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However, a majority still want teacher evaluations, based at least in part on student test scores, to continue during the CCSS transition.

Please tell me which one of the following statements comes closest to your point view on the issue of teacher evaluations as schools are making the transition to the Common Core State Standards and tests.

Do you think that teacher evaluations based in part on student test scores:

33%

19%

26%

9%

Should continue as schools transition because it is necessary to hold our schools and teachers

accountable.

Should NOT continue for any reason as schools transition.

Should NOT continue as schools transition, unless they are only used to reward good work

or to provide training to improve teaching.

Should continue as schools transition, but not for decisions related to hiring or firing teachers.

Conditional Continued

Evaluations

Overall Continued

Evaluations

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The Bottom Line

23

The Bottom Line

There is majority support for states to have the same standards and tests rather than their own standards and tests.

Most voters are still unaware of the Common Core State Standards, and among those who have heard at least something, opinions are divided.

However, upon hearing brief descriptions, a solid majority of voters support implementing the CCSS standards and tests.

The majority of voters agree that if test scores drop as the new CCSS assessments are implemented it is only to be expected as students and teachers adjust, and we should give the standards and tests time to work.

Most voters would favor giving teachers and students time to adjust to the new expectations before there are consequences for test results.

Yet, voters still want some level of teacher accountability as the CCSS standards and tests are implemented.

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Phone: (202) 247-0593 [email protected]

Alex Bratty

Dave Walker

Phone: (202) 478-8300 [email protected]

voter perceptions: common core state standards and assessments

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