Poll: Americans skeptical of "No Child"

The more people know about the "No Child Left Behind" Act (NCLB), the less they like it, according to the 35th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, released in August.

The poll shows most Americans (69%) feel they know very little about the law. But when asked about the strategies used in NCLB, most disapprove. Poll findings include the following:

o NCLB judges a school using test results in English and math only. Most Americans believe the quality of a school cannot be judged by a single test (66%). And 80% fear the law's narrow focus will mean less emphasis on other subjects.

o Most respondents (66%) say judging a school's performance using a single standardized test will cause teachers to "teach to the test." 60% say that is a bad thing.

o NCLB mandates that schools found to be in need of improvement must allow parents to transfer their children out of the school. Most Americans (74%) favor providing assistance within the school.

o Although most Americans polled don't like NCLB's strategies, they do support its objectives. One of those objectives is to have a high-quality teacher in every classroom. Most respondents (61%) believe local schools have trouble getting good teachers, and 66% believe they have trouble keeping good teachers.

Asked how to address this problem, 59% say teacher salaries are too low, and 65% would pay higher salaries to teachers in schools identified under NCLB as in need of improvement.

o No vouchers: More than ever before, Americans oppose vouchers (60%). Nearly three-fourths (73%) of Americans believe we should concentrate on reforming the existing system rather than funding an alternative system.

You can view the poll at www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kpollpdf.htm.