Survey Finds Washington Voters Impressed with Public Education

A recent survey of Washington voters revealed positive attitudes about education. A random sampling of voters throughout the state were called between September 20 and 24 and asked questions about education reform, education funding, problems facing public education, as well as concerns about the economy, taxes and other economic-related issues.

A summary of the survey shows that voters in Washington remain optimistic about the future and continue to be impressed with public schools. More than 75 percent of those surveyed gave schools passing grades. Fifty-four percent gave public schools a grade of A or B. Another 24 percent gave schools a grade of C. These results match grades voters gave in 1999, the last time the survey was conducted, and are among the highest found in any of the six previous biennial studies conducted.

The survey, conducted by Tom Eiland of Conkling Fiskum & McCormick, a public affairs, strategic communications and research company based in Portland, Oregon, came after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Those events played a significant role in voter concerns about the economy. Although a (simple) majority (51 percent) were optimistic about their economic future, saying they expected to be better of financially a year from now, 80 percent expressed some concern about the economy.

The objective of the study was to determine awareness of, and attitudes about, current issues facing public education.

Other findings include:
• Grades given to Washington state schools remain higher than those found nationally.
• Education funding continues to be considered the most important problem facing the state.
• School funding in the state is not adequate to meet education needs.
• Practically all voters believe that a good public education system is one of the most important ways a community can recruit new businesses.
• A majority of voters say they would vote for school measures even if property tax rates were to increase.