Support for School Choice Spans Political Spectrum

From the School Choice Advisor--Published by The American Education Reform Council

Independent public opinion polls consistently show strong public support for programs that expand educational options for parents.

In Wisconsin, Harris Interactive, an international firm best known for the Harris Poll, reported in September 2001 that a "solid 62% majority of Wisconsin residents continue to agree with the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that allows low-income parents in Milwaukee to choose whether their children attend public, private, or parochial schools." According to Harris Interactive, the Supreme Court "ruling receives nearly as much support from liberals (61%) and middle-of-the-road voters (60%) as it does from conservatives (68%). Support for the ruling across the political spectrum indicates that the voucher program...is now accepted as a part of the educational system by most Wisconsin residents."

Nationally, the strongest support comes from low-income parents, especially African Americans and Hispanics.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies conducts research on issues of special concern to black Americans and other minority groups. In its latest survey, a "majority (57 percent) of African Americans. . . supported school vouchers. Among blacks, those under 35 (75 percent) . . . and those from households with children (74 percent) are most supportive . . ."

A July 2001 poll of Hispanic adults, conducted for The Latino Coalition & Hispanic Business Roundtable, found 73% agreeing that "the government should provide taxpayer funded vouchers to help low-income families send their children to a better public, private, or church-run school." The Latino Coalition conducts research on issues involving Latinos' overall economic, cultural and social development.

Among the general public, representative findings of overall public opinion are illustrated in several independent polls.

In the September 2000 Washington Post/Kaiser/Harvard "2000 Election Values Survey," respondents were asked: "Do you favor or oppose proving parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools?" They responded yes, 49% to 47%.

In the August-September 2000 Pew Research Center/Princeton Survey Research Associates, respondents were asked: "I'd like your opinion on some programs and proposals being discussed in this country today. Please tell me if you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose...[f]ederal funding for vouchers to help low- and middle-income parents send their children to private and parochial school?" They responded in support, 53% to 44%.

In an August 2000 NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, respondents were asked the following: "Let me read you two positions on school vouchers. Between these positions, which do you tend to side with more? Position A: Government should give parents more educational choices by providing taxpayer-funded vouchers to help pay for private or religious schools. Position B: Government funding should be limited to . . . public schools." By a margin of 56% to 38% respondents favored Position A.

Wisconsin Residents Favor Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

Overall 62%
18-24 Year Olds 84%
55 and Over 53%
African Americans 75%
Whites 61%
Family Member in Education 59%
No Family Member in Education 63%
Source: Harris Interactive, 2001 survey of 1,002 randomly selected Wisconsin adults.