comprehensive_topline_2005 by The Center for Education Reform

Topline Data Charter School Survey Prepared for the Center for Education Reform by the polling company TM , inc. Kellyanne Conway, President and CEO Completed Interviews: 800 Adults Nationwide (Margin of Error: +3.5%) 700 Adults in California (Margin of Error: +3.7%) 500 Adults in Georgia (Margin of Error: +4.38%) 500 Adults in Missouri (Margin of Error: +4.38%) Field Dates: January 5-11, 2005

A. Are you 18 years of age or older? 100% YES B. Is there someone in the household I could speak with who is 18 or older? 100% YES

Parental Threshold Please think for a moment about the public schools in your area. For each of the following statements, please tell me whether knowing this fact would make you very, somewhat, just a little bit or not at all likely to move your child out of that school after learning this information. If you do not currently have children, please imagine a niece, nephew or child of a friend. (ROTATE) 1. The child is performing poorly academically

53% 26% 27%

56% 30% 26%

51% 27% 24%

51% 23% 28%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

37% 9% 28%

35% 11% 24%

39% 10% 29%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

10% -

8% *

13% -

9% *

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

2. The school is not meeting the standardized test score requirements set by the government

65% 42% 23%

71% 44% 27%

73% 45% 28%

66% 38% 28%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

29% 10% 19%

25% 6% 19%

23% 8% 15%

29% 11% 18%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

6% -

4% *

4% -

5% 1%

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

3. There is negative media coverage of the school

48% 22% 26%

53% 26% 27%

49% 22% 27%

37% 12% 25%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

42% 12% 30%

38% 10% 28%

38% 12% 26%

53% 16% 37%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

10% *

9% -

13% -

9% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

4. The child feels unsafe while at school

78% 62% 16%

83% 68% 15%

78% 65% 13%

79% 60% 19%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

17% 4% 13%

12% 4% 8%

16% 8% 8%

18% 5% 13%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

5% -

4% *

6% -

3% -

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

5. You are not able to communicate regularly with the teachers

70% 45% 25%

75% 46% 29%

75% 45% 30%

65% 38% 27%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

24% 8% 16%

21% 8% 13%

20% 6% 14%

31% 11% 20%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

5% *

4% -

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

6. The school building and facilities are not well-maintained or in need of repair

68% 37% 31%

71% 42% 29%

66% 36% 30%

65% 30% 35%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

27% 10% 17%

26% 11% 15%

28% 12% 16%

31% 10% 21%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

5% *

4% *

6% -

5% -

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

7. There are not enough after-school activities

43% 17% 26%

41% 17% 24%

36% 14% 22%

32% 8% 24%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

51% 12% 39%

56% 15% 41%

59% 12% 47%

64% 14% 50%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

6% -

3% *

4% -

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

8. Other parents are moving their children to different schools

39% 13% 26%

40% 16% 24%

34% 10% 24%

32% 9% 23%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

53% 11% 42%

52% 13% 39%

54% 15% 39%

61% 12% 49%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

8% -

9% *

12% -

7% -

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

9. The child expresses an interest in changing schools

53% 22% 31%

57% 24% 33%

51% 19% 32%

48% 16% 32%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

38% 13% 25%

35% 16% 19%

40% 17% 23%

44% 14% 30%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

10% -

8% *

10% -

7% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

Level of Impact of “Buzz” Words I am now going to read to you a list of descriptive terms. For each, please tell me if you would feel favorable or unfavorable towards a public school that emphasized it. (And is that STRONGLY or just SOMEWHAT favorable/unfavorable)… [ROTATE 10-18] 10. “Control”

76% 45% 31%

74% 41% 33%

77% 43% 34%

74% 43% 31%

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

15% 9% 6%

13% 7% 6%

14% 7% 7%

16% 10% 6%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

9% *

12% *

8% -

10% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

11. “Choice”

84% 53% 31%

81% 54% 27%

83% 48% 35%

83% 51% 32%

8% 5% 3%

11% 6% 5%

7% 3% 4%

8% 1%

8% *

10% -

10% *

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

12. “Options”

85% 56% 29%

86% 54% 32%

85% 53% 32%

85% 52% 33%

5% 4% 1%

6% 4% 2%

7% 4% 3%

9% 5% 4%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

9% *

8% *

7% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

13. “Freedom”

80% 52% 28%

78% 48% 30%

80% 47% 33%

80% 49% 31%

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

10% 7% 3%

11% 5% 6%

10% 6% 4%

11% 6% 5%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

10% *

11% *

10% -

9% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

14. “Autonomy”

69% 34% 35%

67% 36% 31%

66% 33% 33%

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

11% 8% 3%

14% 7% 7%

14% 8% 6%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

20% 1%

17% 1%

19% -

19% 1%

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

15. “Regulation”

83% 52% 31%

78% 48% 30%

78% 50% 28%

78% 46% 32%

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

9% 5% 4%

11% 7% 4%

13% 8% 5%

11% 7% 4%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

8% *

10% 1%

10% *

11% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

16. “Standards”

90% 68% 22%

89% 66% 23%

91% 67% 24%

89% 66% 23%

5% 4% 1%

6% 3% 3%

5% 3% 2%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

4% *

5% *

5% -

5% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

17. “Innovation”

86% 59% 27%

87% 61% 26%

85% 59% 26%

86% 58% 28%

6% 4% 2%

6% 3% 3%

7% 5% 2%

5% 3% 2%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

8% *

7% -

9% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

18. “Accountability”

92% 74% 18%

91% 70% 21%

92% 76% 16%

92% 75% 17%

3% 1% 2%

4% 2% 2%

5% 2% 3%

UNFAVORABLE (NET) SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLE STRONGLY UNFAVORABLE

5% -

4% *

3% -

3% *

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

FAVORABLE (NET) STRONGLY FAVORABLE SOMEWHAT FAVORABLE

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

Level of Support for Key Components of Education Reform 19. When you hear the term “charter schools” what is the first thing that you think of? How would you define or explain a “charter school?” (RECORD VERBATIM, OPEN ENDED, ANYTHING ELSE?) NATIONAL RESPONSES 24% 13% 3%

TYPE OF SCHOOL (NET) PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIALIZING IN FIELD OR SUBJECT ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOL HOME SCHOOL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PUBLIC & PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL MAGNET SCHOOLS DIFFERENT TYPE OF SCHOOL GOVERNMENT SPONSORED SPECIALIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT USES AS EXAMPLE SMALL SCHOOL BOARDING SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL INNER CITY SCHOOL NEW SCHOOLS ACADEMIC SCHOOLS

16% 3% 2% 1%

STRUCTURE (NET) PRIVATELY MAINTAINED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT OPTION OF PLACING CHILDREN 2% IN SCHOOL OUT OF DISTRICT 2% 1% WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING OUT 1% IN PUBLIC SCHOOL 1% 1% GROUP WITH SPECIFIC GOAL IN A SCHOOL 1% 1% ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC 1% SCHOOLS * 1% NOT PART OF THE STATE OR * DISTRICT * 1% COMMUNITY CONTROLLED * 1% HOW IT IS MANAGED 1% HAS ITS OWN CURRICULUM * 1% FOR ABOVE AVERAGE CHILDREN * 1% CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS * 1% FOR AT RISK/TROUBLED KIDS * * FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE * FAILING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL * * HAS OWN STANDARDS * PART OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 16% POSITIVE (NET) SYSTEM 2% BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS * PART OF THE STATE 2% ACADEMICALLY BETTER THAN * NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD 2% FREEDOM OF CHOICE * FORM CHARTER FROM STATE 2% INDEPENDENT * MEET GOVERNMENT 1% HAS BETTER TEACHERS STANDARDS 1% HAS HIGHER STANDARDS * PARENTAL CONTROL 1% A GOOD THING * RUN BY THE STATE 1% FAVOR THEM * MODEL PROGRAMS FOR OTHER 1% GIFTED SCHOOLS 1% SMALL CLASSES * MORE SUBJECTS/CLASSES 1% ONE ON ONE WITH TEACHERS * SPECIALIZED EDUCATION FOR 1% INNOVATIVE COLLEGE PREP * HIGHER STANDARDS THAT * STUDENTS LEARN AT OWN PACE CHILDREN HAVE TO LIVE UP TO * NEW PROGRAMS * BETTER MORALS & VALUES * ADDITIONAL ARTS * GIVES OPPORTUNITY * ADVANCED PROGRAMS * EXCELLENT * MORE DISCIPLINED * WELL MAINTAINED ENVIRONMENT * GOOD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS * MEETS NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN * WELL KNOWN PROGRAM * CERTAIN LEVEL OF QUALITY * PREP FOR PROFESSIONAL LIFE * AUTONOMOUS * SCIENCE CLASSES * UNIFORMS the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform 8 Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

6% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * 2% 2% * * * * * * * *

MONEY/FUNDING (NET) EXPENSIVE PAY TO ATTEND PUBLICLY FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL TAKE MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE FUNDED BY GRANTS RUN LIKE A BUSINESS

NEGATIVE (NET) DON’T LIKE THEM/BAD IDEA UNREGULATED CAN’T DO AS GOOD A JOB AS PUBLIC SCHOOL TOO MANY KIDS, NOT ENOUGH TEACHERS DEFRAUDING THE POOR BAD FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION EXPLOITING CHILDREN FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDS PERFORM POORLY LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

* * * * * * * *

* * * * 1% 1% *

TAKES GOOD STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEGREGATION NOT GOOD FOR CHILDREN RENEGADES POLITICALLY MOTIVATED MISCELLANEOUS (NET) PEOPLE BEING BUSSED IN CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITY TRANSITIONAL EXPERIMENT SELECTIVE ELITE MORE STRUCTURED CONSERVATIVE PREPPY HAVE CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN THERE

31%

DON’T KNOW/NO ANSWER

1% *

LOW-INCOME KIDS OPTION OF PLACING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL OUT OF DISTRICT NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO SCHOOL BOARD FORM CHARTER FROM STATE SET UP BY BUSINESSES COMMUNITY CONTROLLED OPTION FOR PARENTS RUN BY STATE MODEL PROGRAMS FOR OTHER SCHOOLS LIMITED STRUCTURE PROGRAM STUDENTS LEARNING AT OWN PACE ADDITIONAL ARTS MORE DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT NOT CRAMMED INTO CLASSROOMS DRESS CODE/UNIFORM

CALIFORNIA RESPONSES 26% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

STRUCTURE (NET) PRIVATELY MAINTAINED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT NOT PART OF STATE OR DISTRICT HAS ITS OWN CURRICULUM HAS OWN STANDARDS WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING OUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUP WITH SPECIFIC GOAL IN SCHOOL PART OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM SMALL CLASSES ONE ON ONE WITH TEACHERS ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS MEET GOVERNMENT STANDARDS PARENTAL CONTROL PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORK TOGETHER NEW PROGRAMS ADVANCED PROGRAMS BASIC EDUCATION FOR AT RISK/TROUBLED KIDS FOR ABOVE AVERAGE CHILDREN CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS/DISABILITY

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

25% 10% 4% 3% 3% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * 20% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * * * * *

TYPE OF SCHOOL (NET) PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIALIZED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOLS HOME SCHOOL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PUBLIC & PRIVATE RELIGIOUS/PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS MAGNET SCHOOLS NEW SCHOOLS VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS INDIAN RESERVATION SCHOOL BOARDING SCHOOL EXPERIMENT POSITIVE (NET) A GOOD THING INDEPENDENT HAS HIGHER STANDARDS ACADEMICALLY BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FREEDOM OF CHOICE INNOVATIVE FAVOR THEM BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOL AUTONOMOUS OUTSTANDING/EXCELLENT SAFE/SECURE ACHIEVEMENT/ ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS BETTER TEACHERS HIGH TEST SCORES DOING A GOOD JOB GOOD IF DONE RIGHT BEST FOR CHILD GIVES OPPORTUNITY ACADEMIC FREEDOM FOCUSED

5% 2% 1% 1% 1% * * * * 4% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * * * * * * * * * 4% 2% 1% 1% * * * * * * 28%

MONEY/FUNDING (NET) PAY TO ATTEND A LOT OF MONEY PUBLICLY FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE RUN FOR PROFIT SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE PAY TAKE MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS WASTE OF MONEY NEGATIVE UNREGULATED DON’T LIKE THEM/BAD IDEA NOT SURE OF QUALITY UNNECESSARY LOWER CLASS SCHOOLS HARD TO RUN LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY UNQUALIFIED STAFF DON’T HAVE TO BE ACCREDITED DISCRIMINATORY UPPITY TOO MUCH FREEDOM EASY WAY OUT UNSTABLE/UNSUCCESSFUL POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TAKES LONGER TO GET TO SCHOOL FAR FROM CHILDREN’S HOMES MISCELLANEOUS PEOPLE BEING BUSSED IN PICK UP SLACK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SELECTIVE HAVE CHILDREN THERE NOT FOR EVERYONE COMPETITIVE NON-GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PRESTIGIOUS/ELITE RACIAL SCHOOL DON’T KNOW/NO ANSWER

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

GEORGIA RESPONSES 31% 13% 6% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * 24% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * *

TYPE OF SCHOOL (NET) PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIALIZED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL MAGNET SCHOOL DIFFERENT TYPE OF SCHOOL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PUBLIC & PRIVATE SPECIALIZING IN FIELD OR SUBJECT SMALL SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FINE ARTS SCHOOL MONTESSORI SCHOOL MUSIC SCHOOL COUNTY SCHOOL LIKE DAVIDSON FINE ARTS SCHOOL NEW SCHOOLS EXPERIMENT/PROVISIONAL STRUCTURE (NET) HAS ITS OWN CURRICULUM PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT HAS OWN STANDARDS FOR AT RISK/TROUBLED KIDS OPTION OF PLACING CHILD IN SCHOOL OUT OF DISTRICT PRIVATELY MAINTAINED GROUP WITH SPECIFIC GOAL IN SCHOOL ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOT PART OF STATE OR DISTRICT NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO SCHOOL BOARD COMMUNITY CONTROLLED PARENTAL CONTROL MORE SUBJECTS/COURSES NEW PROGRAMS ADVANCED PROGRAMS MORE DISCIPLINED/STRICT ENVIRONMENT MEETS NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN PROGRAMS FOR ABOVE AVERAGE CHILDREN BASIC EDUCATION WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING OUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL PART OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM SMALL CLASSES

* * * * * * * * * 18% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * 4% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * 4% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * 33%

ONE ON ONE WITH TEACHERS MEET GOVERNMENT STANDARDS RUN BY STATE FRANCHISE STUDENTS LEARN AT OWN PACE ADDITIONAL ARTS SCIENCE CLASSES CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS/LEARNING DISABILITY MORE STRUCTURED POSITIVE (NET) HAS HIGHER STANDARDS BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOL INNOVATIVE GIFTED FREEDOM OF CHOICE INDEPENDENT EXCELLENT WELL MAINTAINED A GOOD THING FAVOR THEM HAS BETTER TEACHERS FRESH APPROACH TO EDUCATION GIVES OPPORTUNITY FOCUSED DOING A GOOD JOB MONEY/FUNDING (NET) EXPENSIVE PAY TO ATTEND PUBLICLY FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL WELL FUNDED FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE TAKE MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR RICH KIDS MISCELLANEOUS DON’T LIKE THEM/BAD IDEA PEOPLE BEING BUSSED IN SELECTIVE NEW CONCEPT RACIAL SCHOOL SCHOOL DISTRICT USES AS AN EXAMPLE GOOD FOR THOSE IN BAD AREAS DON’T KNOW/ NO ANSWER

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

MISSOURI RESPONSES 23% 10% 6% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * 14% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

TYPE OF SCHOOL (NET) PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIALIZED ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RELIGIOUS/CATHOLIC SCHOOL MAGNET SCHOOL INNER CITY SCHOOL NEW SCHOOLS EXPERIMENT DIFFERENT TYPE OF SCHOOL SMALL SCHOOL STRUCTURE (NET) PRIVATELY MAINTAINED FOR ABOVE AVERAGE CHILDREN OPTION OF PLACING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL OUT OF DISTRICT WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING OUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL NOT PART OF STATE OR DISTRICT HAS OWN CURRICULUM ADVANCED PROGRAMS MORE DISCIPLINED ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE FAILING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SPECIALIZING IN FIELD OR SUBJECT OUT OF DISTRICT DRESS CODE/UNIFORM SMALL CLASSES PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ONE ON ONE WITH TEACHERS ALTERNATIVE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY CONTROLLED RUN BY STATE MORE SUBJECTS/COURSES EDUCATION FOR COLLEGE PREP PROVIDE EXTRA HELP NEW PROGRAMS ADDITIONAL ARTS MUSIC CLASSES HAS OWN STANDARDS CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITY FOR AT RISK/TROUBLED KIDS BASIC EDUCATION SET UP BY PARENTS NEW CONCEPT

10% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% * * * * * * * * * * 3% 2% 1% * * * * 3% 1% 1% 1% * * * 3% 2% 1% * * * 38%

POSITIVE (NET) BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOL HAS HIGHER STANDARDS INDEPENDENT FOCUSED A GOOD THING FREEDOM OF CHOICE GIFTED ACCOUNTABILITY EXCELLENT CREATIVE SAFE/SECURE GIVES OPPORTUNITY FRESH APPROACH ACADEMIC FREEDOM ACADEMICALLY BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAVOR THEM NEGATIVE (NET) DON’T LIKE THEM NOT SURE OF QUALITY UNREGULATED TOO MANY KIDS, NOT ENOUGH TEACHERS PERFORM POORLY NOT WORKING WELL MONEY/FUNDING (NET) PAY TO ATTEND PAID BY TAXPAYERS TAKE MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS EXPENSIVE PUBLICLY FUNDED PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE MISCELLANEOUS (NET) PEOPLE BEING BUSSED IN FAR FROM CHILDREN’S HOMES HAS SCREENING PROCESS MODEL PROGRAM FOR OTHER SCHOOLS PICK UP SLACK FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS DON’T KNOW/NO ANSWER

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

20. How would you classify charter schools—as (ROTATE) public schools, private schools, religious/parochial schools, or magnet schools? US

38% 20% 16% 5%

33% 29% 15% 4%

32% 26% 21% 3%

30% 22% 24% 6%

PRIVATE SCHOOL PUBLIC SCHOOL MAGNET SCHOOL RELIGIOUS/PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

3% 17% *

2% 16% 1%

2% 15% -

2% 16% *

OTHER (VOLUNTEERED) DO NOT KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

21. Do you support or oppose allowing communities to create new public schools - called charter schools - that would be held accountable for student results and would be required to meet the same academic standards/testing requirements as other public schools but not cost taxpayers any additional money? [PROBE: AND DO YOU STRONGLY OR SOMEWHAT SUPPORT/OPPOSE?] US

78% 56% 22%

81% 56% 25%

87% 62% 25%

73% 48% 25%

SUPPORT (NET) STRONGLY SUPPORT SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

15% 6% 9%

13% 4% 9%

10% 3% 7%

19% 6% 13%

OPPOSE (NET) SOMEWHAT OPPOSE STRONGLY OPPOSE

6% *

3% -

7% *

DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

22. Recently there have been reports, based on information collected by the federal government, of students’ academic performance in conventional public and charter schools. These data show that students in charter schools are sometimes slightly behind students in other public schools academically. Knowing this, with which of the following opinions comes closest to your own? (ROTATE) Person 1: Reports from the government that some charter school students are performing less well compared to conventional public school students concerns me when thinking about the quality of charter schools. Person 2: There is other, more reliable information about charter schools besides government-based data that should be considered when thinking about the quality of such schools. [PROBE: And would that be STRONGLY or SOMEWHAT agree with Person 1/2?] US

31% 15% 16%

30% 16% 14%

28% 17% 11%

30% 14% 16%

PERSON ONE (NET) STRONGLY AGREE WITH PERSON ONE SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH PERSON ONE

55% 29% 26%

57% 26% 31%

60% 27% 33%

57% 30% 27%

PERSON TWO (NET) SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH PERSON TWO STRONGLY AGREE WITH PERSON TWO

4% 10% *

4% 8% 1%

4% 8% *

NO DIFFERENCE (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

23. Do you (ROTATE) support or oppose considering student performance when deciding how to compensate teachers? Under this plan, a teacher whose students actually perform well would receive a higher salary and additional financial rewards. [PROBE: AND DO YOU STRONGLY OR SOMEWHAT SUPPORT/OPPOSE?] US

59% 40% 19%

54% 34% 20%

62% 39% 23%

53% 30% 23%

SUPPORT (NET) STRONGLY SUPPORT SOMEWHAT SUPPORT

34% 13% 21%

40% 11% 29%

32% 8% 24%

43% 12% 31%

OPPOSE (NET) SOMEWHAT OPPOSE STRONGLY OPPOSE

5% *

5% 1%

6% -

3% *

DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

24. I am now going to read you the opinions of two individuals, please tell me with which one you agree more. Person 1: “In order to meet the required state standards, all schools should use the same educational program that is mandated by their local district or state so that there is continuity among schools and students.” Person 2: “As long as the school still meets the standards set by the state, schools should have the opportunity to select their own education programs based on what might be best for the students, even if it differs from other schools in their area.” (And do you STRONGLY or just SOMEWHAT agree with PERSON 1/2?) US

30% 20% 10%

27% 17% 10%

37% 26% 11%

29% 18% 11%

PERSON ONE (NET) STRONGLY AGREE WITH PERSON ONE SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH PERSON ONE

63% 21% 42%

69% 23% 46%

59% 22% 37%

67% 24% 43%

PERSON TWO (NET) SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH PERSON TWO STRONGLY AGREE WITH PERSON TWO

3% 2% 2% 1%

2% 1% 2% *

2% 1% 2% -

BOTH (VOLUNTEERED) NEITHER (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

25. Currently, children attending public schools are assigned to the school they attend by the school district based on where they live. Some have suggested, however, that parents should have the option to send their children to a number of different public schools, with no additional cost, based on which is the best match for the child. Which do you believe is better: assigning children to one public school based solely on where they live or allowing the parent to choose from a number of public schools? US

69% 24%

71% 22%

68% 27%

56% 38%

7% *

6% 1%

4% *

5% *

A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ONE SCHOOL DEPENDS/UNSURE/ DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

Demographics Now I have a few more questions for statistical purposes... 26. What is your age, please? (CODE RESPONSE) US 13% 9% 10% 10% 11% 9% 9% 11% 12% 5%

CA 14% 9% 8% 12% 15% 7% 9% 11% 9% 5%

GA 13% 9% 10% 9% 16% 9% 9% 11% 7% 6%

MO 13% 8% 8% 12% 12% 8% 10% 12% 9% 8%

18-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-64 65-74 75+ REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

27. Are you currently registered to vote as a (ROTATE) Republican, Democrat, Independent or are you not registered at all? US

28% 32% 20% 13%

31% 39% 13% 11%

39% 22% 18% 14%

29% 27% 30% 8%

2% 5%

1% 4%

1% 6%

2% 5%

REPUBLICAN DEMOCRAT INDEPENDENT/UNAFFILIATED NOT REGISTERED OTHER (RECORD VERBATIM, VOLUNTEERED) DON'T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED)

28. Thinking for a moment about your social, economic, and political views, do you generally consider yourself to be conservative or liberal? [IF CONSERVATIVE/LIBERAL, ASK] And would you consider yourself to be VERY (conservative/liberal) or just SOMEWHAT (conservative/liberal)? US

19% 25% 22% 17% 9%

17% 22% 25% 19% 11%

29% 25% 26% 11% 5%

23% 25% 25% 10% 9%

1% 5% 2%

1% 4% 1%

* 3% 1%

1% 5% 2%

VERY CONSERVATIVE SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE MODERATE SOMEWHAT LIBERAL VERY LIBERAL OTHER (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

29. Are you currently . . . (CODE “ENGAGED” AS “SINGLE”) (CODE “LIVING WITH SIGNIFICANT OTHER” AS “SINGLE”) US

57% 22% 9% 2% 7%

57% 27% 7% 1% 6%

67% 19% 7% 1% 5%

67% 19% 6% 1% 6%

MARRIED SINGLE DIVORCED SEPARATED WIDOWED REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

30. What is the last grade of formal education you completed? US

6% 25% 28% 26% 14%

3% 18% 30% 31% 17%

6% 19% 23% 29% 22%

5% 28% 28% 24% 14%

LESS THAN HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE SOME COLLEGE/VOCATIONAL SCHOOL COLLEGE GRADUATE POST GRADUATE DON'T KNOW/REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

31. And thinking back to when you were in elementary, middle, and high school, what type of school did you attend? (READ AND ROTATE LIST, MULTIPLE RESPONSES ACCEPTED) US

86% 8% 8% 1%

83% 10% 10% *

88% 10% 4% 1%

86% 7% 8% 1%

1% * * 1%

2% 1% *

1% * -

2% 1%

PUBLIC PRIVATE RELIGIOUS HOME-SCHOOLED OTHER (RECORD VERBATIM) (VOLUNTEERED) DID NOT ATTEND SCHOOL (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

32. Which of the following media sources do you consider your primary source of news and information? Would it be…? US

26% 26% 13% 8% 6% 7% 3%

20% 23% 13% 11% 11% 7% 4%

25% 18% 20% 8% 8% 7% 4%

31% 17% 13% 9% 8% 5% 2%

YOUR LOCAL EVENING TV NEWS A LOCAL NEWSPAPER CABLE TELEVISION NEWS CHANNELS RADIO INTERNET NATIONAL NETWORK EVENING NEWS A NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SUCH AS USA TODAY

8% 1% * 1%

10% 2% * *

9% 1% *

14% 1% * *

ALL (VOLUNTEERED) NONE (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

33. Do you have any children? (IF YES: HOW MANY?) US

75% 19% 27% 29%

69% 17% 28% 24%

75% 18% 29% 28%

80% 14% 33% 33%

YES (NET) YES, 1 (ASK Q 35) YES, 2 (ASK Q 35) YES, 3 OR MORE (ASK Q 35)

25%

31%

24%

20%

NO (ASK Q 34)

REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

34. How likely are you to have children in the next five years? US

N=196 N=216 N=120 N=101

39% 18% 21%

39% 24% 15%

32% 19% 13%

28% 15% 13%

LIKELY (NET) VERY LIKELY SOMEWHAT LIKELY

50% 6% 44%

51% 58% 4% 10% 47% 48%

66% 13% 53%

UNLIKELY (NET) JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKELY NOT LIKELY AT ALL

7% 4%

7% 3%

9% 2%

4% 2%

DON’T KNOW/DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

35. (ASK ONLY TO RESPONDENTS WITH CHILDREN) And what are the ages of your children? (MULTIPLE RESPONSES ACCEPTED) US

N=593 N=478 N=377 N=396

18% 16% 15% 18% 17% 17%

19% 21% 19% 20% 15% 13%

23% 15% 19% 20% 17% 18%

14% 15% 15% 15% 15% 16%

3 YEARS AND YOUNGER 4-6 YEARS OLD 7-9 YEARS OLD 10-12 YEARS OLD 13-15 YEARS OLD 16-18 YEARS OLD

25% 35% 30% 16% 3%

22% 27% 26% 16% 2%

25% 30% 24% 17% 3%

24% 39% 28% 20% 5%

19-24 YEARS OLD 25-34 YEARS OLD 35-44 YEARS OLD 45-54 YEARS OLD 55 YEARS AND OLDER

REFUSED

36. (ASK ONLY TO RESPONDENTS WITH CHILDREN) What type of school do your children currently attend or what type of school did they attend when they were younger? (READ AND ROTATE LIST, ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES) US

N=593 N=478 N=377 N=396

77% 11% 6% 2%

78% 13% 8% 2%

75% 11% 6% 4%

76% 11% 11% 3%

4% 6% * 2%

2% 5% * *

3% 5% 1% *

2% 3% * -

PUBLIC PRIVATE RELIGIOUS HOME-SCHOOLED OTHER (RECORD VERBATIM) (VOLUNTEERED) DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

37. Do you have any grandchildren? (IF YES: HOW MANY?) US

32% 5% 6% 21%

25% 5% 5% 15%

28% 4% 5% 19%

35% 6% 7% 22%

YES (NET) YES, 1 YES, 2 YES, 3 OR MORE

66%

75%

72%

64%

REFUSED (VOLUNTEER)

38. Would you describe your racial or ethnic background as: US

74% 11% 7% 2% * 2%

48% 7% 28% 11% 1% 1%

62% 25% 5% 2% 1% 1%

82% 11% 2% 1% 1% 1%

2% 2%

2% 1%

WHITE/CAUCASIAN BLACK/AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISPANIC/LATINO ASIAN MIDDLE EASTERN NATIVE AMERICAN OTHER (VOLUNTEERED) DON’T KNOW/REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

39. Are you…? (READ CATEGORIES) US

25% 46% 2% 2% * 3%

30% 32% 3% 7% 1% 3%

15% 62% 1% 2% * *

21% 56% 1% 3% 1% 1%

9% 8% 4%

9% 11% 4%

10% 7% 2%

9% 6% 2%

CATHOLIC PROTESTANT JEWISH AGNOSTIC/ATHEIST MUSLIM MORMON OTHER (SPECIFY) (VOLUNTEERED) NONE/UNAFFILIATED (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

40. How often do you attend religious services? US

2% 30% 24% 14% 25%

3% 22% 21% 15% 34%

2% 38% 31% 9% 17%

1% 39% 25% 11% 21%

EVERY DAY A FEW TIMES PER WEEK A FEW TIMES PER MONTH A FEW TIMES PER YEAR SELDOM/NEVER DON'T KNOW/REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

41. How would you describe the community in which you live? (READ & ROTATE CATEGORIES) US

29% 40% 27%

34% 50% 14%

22% 49% 27%

24% 36% 38%

3% 1%

2% 1%

1% *

1% 1%

URBAN SUBURBAN RURAL DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

42. Which of the following best describes your current work status or occupation? (READ RESPONSES AND ACCEPT ONE ONLY, UNLESS RESPONDENT SAYS “STUDENT” AND ANOTHER CATEGORY) US

27% 12% 14% 5% 8% 4% 5% 19%

34% 12% 11% 6% 9% 2% 7% 15%

34% 13% 15% 5% 7% 3% 5% 16%

30% 13% 15% 5% 8% 3% 4% 20%

PROFESSIONAL/EXECUTIVE/OWNER WHITE COLLAR/ ADMINISTRATIVE/ CLERICAL BLUE COLLAR/ SERVICE/ MANUFACTURING PART TIME WORK OUTSIDE OF THE HOME STAY AT HOME/ DO NOT WORK UNEMPLOYED STUDENT RETIRED

2% * 2%

2% * 1%

1% * 1%

3% 1%

OTHER (RECORD VERBATIM-VOLUNTEERED) NOT SURE (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

43. Do you, or does anyone in your household, belong to a labor union or teachers’ association? [IF YES] And do they work in the PUBLIC SECTOR or the PRIVATE SECTOR? US

20% 16% 4%

23% 18% 5%

11% 8% 3%

19% 14% 5%

TOTAL UNION YES, PUBLIC SECTOR UNION YES, PRIVATE SECTOR UNION

73%

71%

85%

76%

NOT A MEMBER OF A LABOR UNION

5% 2%

3% 1%

4% 1%

DON’T KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

44. And regarding your family’s annual income…Please tell me which of the following categories best describes your family’s total annual household income before taxes. US

14% 10% 11% 10% 9% 7% 5% 4% 12%

9% 6% 8% 7% 9% 8% 6% 5% 21%

9% 5% 11% 8% 9% 5% 7% 6% 22%

13% 9% 11% 7% 8% 7% 7% 6% 15%

LESS THAN $25,000 $25,000 TO $29,999 $30,000 TO $39,999 $40,000 TO $49,999 $50,000 TO $59,999 $60,000 TO $69,999 $70,000 TO $79,999 $80,000 TO $89,999 $90,000 OR HIGHER

5% 14%

5% 15%

4% 15%

3% 14%

DO NOT KNOW (VOLUNTEERED) REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

45. Do you currently hold any investments in stocks or stock mutual funds either directly or through a 401k or pension plan? US

50% 43%

57% 36%

61% 30%

58% 36%

YES NO DON’T KNOW/REFUSED (VOLUNTEERED)

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005

46. Region (National Survey Only) 6% 15% 17% 7% 18% 6% 9% 6% 16%

NEW ENGLAND MID-ATLANTIC EAST NORTH CENTRAL WEST NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH ATLANTIC EAST SOUTH CENTRAL WEST SOUTH CENTRAL MOUNTAIN PACIFIC

47. GENDER US 48% 52%

CA 49% 51%

GA 48% 52%

MO 48% 52%

MALE FEMALE

the polling company™, inc. for the Center for Education Reform Charter School Survey Topline January 2005