Louisiana Public Square

*Survey Results* *EDUCATION (K-12)*
*Online*
Q1. How closely would you say that you follow news on state government and public affairs in Louisiana ? Would you say follow the news very closely, somewhat closely, not very closely or not at all?
	% very closely 50 somewhat closely 50
Q2. What about the quality of education students receive in Louisiana 's primary and secondary public schools? Would you say that public education in Louisiana is better than, about the same, or worse than in other states in the southeast region?
	% Better 30 About the Same 20 Worse 30 Much Worse 10 Don't Know/Not Available 10
Q3. Do you support or oppose providing parents of children in failing public schools with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools?
	% oppose 50 support 50
Q4a. Do you have any children between the ages of 4 and 18?
	% yes 50 no 50
Q4b. Did any of these children attend public schools at any time?
	% Yes 70 No 20 Don't Know/Not Available 10
Q4c. Did any of these children attend private schools (including home schooling) at anytime?
	% Yes 30 No 60 Don't Know/Not Available 10
Q5. As you know students are often given grades A through F. Suppose the public schools in your local community were graded in this way. What grade would you give the public schools in the school district where you live?
	% A 10 B 20 C 30 D 20 F 10 Don't Know/Not Available 10
Q6. Thinking ahead now, over the next several years, do you think Louisiana public schools will get better, get worse, or stay about the same?
	% Get Better 40 Stay Same 10 Get Worse 30 Don't Know/Not Available 20
Q7. In your opinion is there too much emphasis on standardized testing in the public schools in your community, not enough emphasis on testing, or about the right amount?
	% Too much emphasis on testing 60 About the right amount 40
Q8. Here are several issues that some people view as problems in Louisiana public schools. Please let us know how important each of these issues are in contributing to the state of public schools today. Q8a. Funding levels: Would you say that it is very important, important, somewhat important, or not very important in contributing to the state of Louisiana public schools today?
	Funding levels % Very Important 80 Important 20 Somewhat Important 0 Not Very Important 0 Don't Know/Not Available 0 Refused 0
Q8b. Teacher Quality: Would you say that it is very important, important, somewhat important, or not very important in contributing to the state of Louisiana public schools today?
	Teacher Quality % Very Important 90 Important 10 Somewhat Important 0 Not Very Important 0 Don't Know/Not Available 0 Refused 0
Q9. Here are several ways people have suggested to improve public schools in Louisiana . How much do of a difference do you think each of the following policies would make in improving public schools? Q9a. Increasing teacher pay: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 30 Some Difference 60 Little to No Difference 10
Q9b. Testing Teachers to ensure they are qualified: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 30 Some Difference 60 Little to No Difference 10
Q9c. Better Buildings and Facilities: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 10 Some Difference 90
Q9d. More Charter Schools: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 10 Some Difference 20 Little to No Difference 50 Don't Know/Not Available 10 Refused 10
Q9e. More technology in the classroom: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 20 Some Difference 40 Little to No Difference 20 Make Things Worse 20
Q9f. More Pre-K programs: Would you say that it would make a big difference, some difference, little to no difference or it would make things worse?
	% Big Difference 60 Some Difference 30 Little to No Difference 10
Q10. Would you support additional taxes to improve your local public schools?
	% Yes 70 No 20 Don't Know / Not Availbable 10
Q11. Which of the following statements most closely matches your view concerning what government should do when parents do not get involved in their children's education:
	% "Goverment should step in to fill the role the parents should play" 50 "Neither/both" 30 "Government should focus its resources on the children with involved parents" 20
Q12. Would you say the government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves or that it is run for the benefit of all the people?
	% Few Big Interests 70 Benefit of All 20 Don't Know / Not Availbable 10
Q13. How much attention do you feel the government pays to what the people think when it decides what to do -- a good deal, some, or not much?
	% Not Much 50 Some 40 Good Deal 10
Q14. Discussions - even those that involve serious disagreements - should be an important part of the political processes.
	% Strongly Agree 60 Agree 30 Strongly Disagree 10
Q15. Democracy Requires Hearing All Sides of Political Issue, Even Unpopular Views.
	% Strongly Agree 60 Agree 40
Q16. Political Party Affiliation?
	% Republican 10 Democrat 70 Independent 20
Q17. Liberal or Conservative on Issues?
	% Somewhat Liberal 20 Moderate 60 Conservative 10 Somewhat Conservative 10
Q18. Liberal or Conservative on Social Issues and People's Behavior?
	% Very Liberal 20 Somewhat Liberal 20 Liberal 20 Conservative 30 Somewhat Conservative 10
Q19. Race or Ethnicity?
	% White 50 Black 40 Mixed 10
Q20. Highest Level of Education?
	% Bachelors Degree 40 Masters Degree 30 PhD / MD / JD 20 Associates 10
Q21. Age on Last Birthday?
	% 25-34 30 35-44 10 45-54 50 55-64 10
Q22. Marital Status?
	% Single 30 Married 70
Q23. 2003 Household Income Before Taxes?
	% "10,001-20,000" 10 "30,001-40,000" 10 "40,001-50,000" 10 "50,001-60,000" 10 "60,001-70,000" 10 "80,001-90,000" 10 "100,000 or more" 30 Refused 10
Q24. Gender?
	% Male 20 Female 80