Most Americans Oppose Vouchers, Poll Says

[goobergunch]

By REBECCA CARROLL
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Most Americans oppose voucher programs and think teachers aren't paid enough, a poll finds.

Support for a program that allows students and parents to choose a private school to attend at public expense dropped to 38 percent from 46 percent last year, according to the poll conducted by professional educational association Phi Delta Kappa International and Gallup.

Poll respondents were divided equally on whether a voucher program would improve student achievement in their community overall, with 48 percent saying it would and 48 percent saying it wouldn't.

The split divided less evenly along political party lines: Most Republicans - 55 percent - said a voucher program would boost student achievement, and 41 percent of Democrats said it would.

more...http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EDUCATION_ATTITUDES?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

MoE: 4%

[Chico Man]

1. Wow, a poll that goes against "the party line"

Amazing!

[aquart]

2. George W. Bush is the product of private schools.

Kinda dims the luster, huh?

[MrBenchley]

3. Voters in ten states have been offered vouchers

and all ten have turned it down, despite wild over-spending by pro-voucher forces. In most other states, voucher initiatives haven't gathered enough signatures to get on a ballot.

And despite the claims that blacks support vouchers, when they were offered in Michigan black voters rejected them at a higher rate than white voters did.

[tom_paine]

4. Who cares what we think?

The Duty of an Imperial Subject of Amerika is to cower at home, watch and believe Corporate TV Pravda, and shut their pieholes.

Oh, and to not question the Emperor* in any way shape or form.

[AP]

6. And don't forget to sign that check you're writing to whatever

privatized monopoly the Republicans have created for their cronies.

[Voltaire99]

7. True! Thinking can only lead us into the wilderness...

...and that's where the terrorists are.

Me, I'm staying right here in the vital center--where it's safe!

[revree]

5. Focus groups, shmocus groups.

Bush doesn't listen to them, unless of course they AGREE with him!!!

[DoveTurnedHawk]

8. I Think Limited Experimentation

Within a very few test communities would be an interesting experiment.

By and large, however, I think vouchers are a bad idea, and I definitely agree that teachers are underpaid.

DTH