Do you know how much, on average, Americans spend on each of the more than 46 million students in the country’s public schools?
It’s about $11,000. But only 15% of respondents to a new poll could estimate the correct range of per-pupil spending. That’s according to a study released this month by EdChoice, the new name of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice.
The “2016 Schooling in America Survey: Public Opinion on K–12 Education and School Choice” also finds that 9% of respondents say “education” is the most important issue facing the nation. That’s down from 17% in last year’s survey. The issues named as top priorities are “economy and jobs” (33%) and healthcare (12%). Immigration, values, crime, taxes, environment and housing all finished in the single digits.
Of course, some districts go way over that national average. In the Hoboken, N.J., school district, the cost per-pupil is nearly double the average, at $23,561. School administrators and the majority on the elected school board argue that the tax levy has to go up about 4% to cover new costs. Like? Nine new teachers at a high school that has lost 20% enrollment over the past 5 years.
When asked how much they thought was being spent in the nation’s public schools, about 21% of respondents to the poll pegged it at $4,000 or less per student. Another 26% couldn’t even make a guess.
Respondents tended to under-estimate spending. Those who were given the actual figures, however, were less like to say it is “too low.”
Another finding in the survey is that 62% of Americans believe K-12 education is on the “wrong track,” which is up from 60% last year. On the other hand, 24% say education is headed in the “right direction,” down from 32% last year.
“Three subgroups are significantly more likely to say ‘wrong track’ than the national average: Republicans (75%), those from rural areas (73%), and whites (69%),” write the authors, Paul DiPerna and Andrew D. Catt. “Small town residents (30%) are more likely to say “right direction” than their counterparts in rural areas (19%).”
Their other findings include:
• When it comes to a preferred school type, 42% would choose a private school as their first option to enroll their child. A regular public school was chosen by 28%, 11% would choose a charter school and 10% would choose homeschooling. The reality is that about 83% of K-12 students attend public school, 10% go to private schools, 5% attend charters and perhaps just under 3% are home-schooled.
• When it comes to charter schools, they are favored by 59% of respondents and opposed by 23%.
• On the subject of tuition vouchers, 56% of Americans say they support them while 28% don’t support them.
• Education savings accounts, one of the newest forms of school choice, are favored by 49% of respondents while 27% oppose them.
• Tax-credit scholarship programs are supported by 55% of respondents but opposed by 23%.
