Gallup: Americans Rate Public Schools the Worst Place to Educate Children

Cybercast News Service ^ | August 29, 2012 | Terrence P. Jeffrey

[Zakeet]

A new Gallup poll released today indicates that Americans rate public schools the worst place to educate children.

In the national survey conducted Aug. 9-12, private independent schools, parochial and church-related schools, charter schools and home-schooling all rated higher than public schools.

Gallup interviewers asked respondents: "I’m going to read a list of ways children are educated in the U.S. today. As I read each one, please indicate--based on what you know or have read and heard--how good an education each provides children--excellent, good, only fair, or poor. How about: public schools, parochial or church-related schools, independent private schools, charter schools, or home-schooling?"

Only 5 percent said they believe public schools give children an excellent eduction.

Another 32 percent said they believe public schools give children a good education. But this combined 37 percent who said public schools give children an excellent or good education was the lowest among the different types of schools Gallup included in its survey.

Americans ranked independent private schools highest, with 31 percent saying they provide an excellent education and 47 percent saying they provide a good education--for a combined 78 percent who say they provide an excellent or good education.

Parochial and church-related schools ranked second, with 21 percent saying they provide an excellent education and 48 percent saying they provide a good education--for a combined 69 percent who say they provide an excellent or good education.

Charter schools came in third, with 17 percent saying they provide an excellent education and 43 percent saying the provide a good education--for combined 60 percent positive rating.

Home-schooling came in fourth, with 13 percent saying it provides an excellent education and 33 percent saying it provides a good education--for a combined 46 percent who give it a positive rating.

Public schools finished fifth--or last place.

[MrB]

I think there are more that have fallen victim to the “tyranny of experts” and have been convinced that they can’t do it as well as an “professional educator”.

Our society has become overspecialized. It leads to efficiencies, but causes inherent weaknesses overall.

[9YearLurker]

I agree with you, and actually don’t see how a smart recent high school grad can’t teach younger kids, since the entire curriculum is not that difficult to master.

I was more speaking to the economics or other reasons why there may not be the full-time stay-at-home parent that is otherwise needed for supervision for younger kids.

[MrB]

Yes, there are other reasons.
“Economics”, though, is about choices.

[kearnyirish2]

“See NYC could care less about Smoking at School, Skippig School or what ever the kid wants except educate him/her”

Years ago they tied welfare payments to children’s attendance at school; maybe some teachers had some frank discussions with administrators about why it might be more conducive to a productive learning environment to just have the “cash-for-kids” students stay out of the classrooms altogether to give the students that care (from families that care) a chance. There is no reason for a welfare child in an urban environment to believe they have a chance to amount to anything; they are simply pawns for their parents, school districts, and political representatives (none of whom could care less about them or their futures).

[gleeaikin]

I should add that my mother was teaching 3rd grade in a suburban bedroom suburb of New York. Mostly middle class students.