More than 70% of Americans have confidence in teachers

The 43rd annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools is a year survey that gauges public opinion on public schools.

You can download the entire report, titled, “Betting On Teachers,” or a highlights sheet, here.

But in the meantime, here are some interesting numbers to get your attention and encourage you to dig deeper by reading the entire report:

• 36 percent of polled said underfunding is biggest problem facing schools. Overcrowding and lack of discipline tied for second at 6 percent each.
• 71 percent have confidence in public school teachers, 27 percent do not and 2 percent don’t know.
• 65 percent of Americans oppose public money funding private school vouchers; 34 percent favor.
• 52 percent of Americans side with teachers unions in recent collective bargaining disputes; 44 percent with governors who oppose unions. 4 percent don’t know.
• However, while 26 percent polled say unionization has helped the quality of public school education, 25 percent say it has made no difference and 47 percent say it has hurt.
• 62 percent of those Gallup polled did not have children in school, 29 percent were public school parents and 5 percent were non-public school parents.
• 29 percent were Republicans, 34 percent were Democrats, 34 percent were Independents and 3 percent were “undesignated.”