Annual Poll Shows Attracting and Retaining High-Quality Educators a Top Priority

PDK International released its 52nd annual September poll of public opinion toward public schools, entitled "Public School Priorities in a Political Year."

The poll, which was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, takes a long view at slowly-changing American opinions on public education, rather than capturing opinions based on the current crisis. The poll asked questions ranging from how important public schools are to voters to specific questions about testing, diversity, school vouchers, and charter schools.

For the 19th year in a row, respondents cited a lack of financial support as the most prevalent issue facing public schools. Of note, 85% of respondents want the administration in Washington to focus more on attracting and retaining good teachers, a role that is largely taken on at the state and local level.

Given the current and anticipated educator shortages, PDK International’s chief executive officer, Joshua Starr, lifted this statistic in his introductory analysis, noting:

"Perhaps, then, respondents’ desire for the federal government to do something about teacher shortages should serve as a wake-up call for those in Washington who have threatened to reduce financial support on the basis of local decisions about opening up. Americans want them to play a positive role, not a destructive one."

View the PDK poll