SELF- REPORTED COMMON CORE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ARE HIGH

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1 To: Center for American Progress From: Margie Omero, Purple Insights Date: September 26, 2014 Re: Common Core National Survey of Parents Results KEY FINDINGS Most know about the Common Core, and feel they understand it. But misinformation pervades. Those who say they are most familiar with the Common Core express some elevated worries about public schools, and are also most likely to believe a variety of Common Core myths. Yet parents overwhelmingly support the standards characteristics and stated goals. Parents worry about the state of public schools nationwide, but rate their local schools as above average. Many worry students are under- prepared and over- tested. Many parents think the federal government is too involved in education, and so trust local experts like public school teachers, principals, the PTA, and the school board, rather than politicians or political parties. SELF- REPORTED COMMON CORE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ARE HIGH Many parents know about the Common Core and feel they understand it. Seventy- one percent (71%) of parents say they have heard about the Common Core, and two- thirds of these parents who have heard of the Common Core say they understand it. Republicans are more likely to have heard a great deal than Democrats (35%, 22% respectively). And those who have heard a great deal are particularly likely to get their Common Core information not just from the news (39%), but also through school communications (43%) and in a meeting or in person (56%). Purple Insights, September

2 Common Core familiarity reflects some school frustrations. Parents most familiar with the Common Core also have a conflicted view of the country s public schools. These parents tend to grade U.S. public schools better than do parents overall (38% vs. 31% A or B). They are also more likely to say schools prepare kids for the college and jobs in their future (54% vs. 48% believe schools prepare kids). Yet parents most familiar with the Common Core are particularly worried about testing and federal overreach. About two- thirds (65%) of those saying they know a great deal about the Common Core also say there is too much testing, and even more (69%) say the federal government is too involved in education. YET MANY COMMON CORE MYTHS ARE WIDELY BELIEVED But misinformation about the Common Core is widespread. Even though many say they know and understand the Common Core, majorities (or near majorities) believe a variety of myths. Half (50%) classify the Common Core as a shared curriculum (as opposed to standards). Nearly as many (49%) believe it to be a federal government initiative (as opposed to a state- led effort). Almost half (45%) think the Common Core limits teacher independence and flexibility (as opposed to encouraging it). And two in five (40%) believe the Common Core will require more school testing (as opposed to changing current tests). Based on what you know or have heard about the Common Core, please tell me whether you think that is a true or false statement True False Unsure about the Common Core, or if you aren t sure. The Common Core will result in a shared curriculum and common tests. 50% 5% 45% The Common Core is a federal government initiative. (Asked of half the sample) 49% 8% 43% The Common Core limits teacher independence and flexibility to create their own lessons. 45% 15% 40% The Common Core will lead to more teacher testing and evaluation. 40% 11% 49% The Common Core requires more school testing. 40% 12% 48% Teachers were not involved enough in developing the Common Core. 36% 15% 48% Disadvantaged students will be even further left behind by aggressive Common Core testing. 35% 19% 46% The Common Core specifies a reading list for each grade. 33% 9% 57% The Common Core was adopted by politicians in Washington without the input of local schools. 33% 17% 50% The Common Core is an Obama Administration initiative. (Asked of half the sample) 25% 20% 55% The Common Core displaces classic books like Tom Sawyer and replaces them with technical manuals and books written by foreigners. 16% 27% 58% The Common Core is mandatory for all states. 16% 35% 49% More familiarity typically means more confusion. Parents most familiar with the Common Core are also most likely to believe myths about it. Eighty- one percent (81%) of those who have heard the most about the Common Core believe it is a shared curriculum, and 76% of those who have heard a great deal also believe it to be a federal government initiative. In fact, a majority (56%) of those with the greatest awareness of the Common Core believe at least half of the myths tested to be true. Purple Insights, September

3 THE CORE S CHARACTERISTICS AND STATED GOALS ENJOY STRONG SUPPORT Nearly all parents support the Common Core s characteristics and stated goals. Parents overwhelmingly express support for a series of reform proposals all stated goals of Common Core but presented without any mention of the Common Core. Three in ten parents (29%) strongly support nearly all of the measures we tested. Top- testing proposals focus on expanding teacher input and flexibility, and reforming standardized tests. These proposals enjoy consistently strong support across party lines, and among parents both more and less familiar with the Common Core. Proposal to improve public school education standards (Reforms were not mentioned as stated goals of Common Core) Strongly Favor Develop standards with the input of teachers and educators, and not the federal government 70% Reform testing so it provides clear feedback to teachers and parents on student strengths and weaknesses 70% Provide teachers and schools flexibility to develop a curriculum that works in the classroom 69% Develop standards based on conceptual understanding, skills, and problem- solving, rather than memorization 59% Raise national standards so the U.S. can be more competitive with other countries 59% Make education standards more rigorous to prepare kids for college and jobs of the future 52% Reduce the number of standardized tests students take in schools 43% Create voluntary national education standards establishing shared goals and expectations for students across states 41% Reform testing so it includes more essays and fewer multiple- choice tests 30% LOCAL SCHOOLS ASIDE, MANY PARENTS WORRY ABOUT OUR NATION S PUBLIC SCHOOLS Parents worry about the quality of public schools nationwide, but rate their local schools as above average. Local schools fare better than schools, broadly. A majority (58%) of parents give their own community schools either an A or a B. Fewer than a third (31%) give schools nationwide the same ratings. Parents with children in public school rate their local schools far more strongly (66% A or B) than do parents of private school kids (39% A or B). Purple Insights, September

4 In particular, parents worry students are underprepared and over- tested. Parents are evenly divided (48% for each) on whether American public schools prepare kids for jobs and college, although there is more intensity in the negative (13% not at all well prepared vs. 7% very well ). Half (49%) also feel students take too many standardized tests. Further, parents have a mostly pessimistic view of how U.S. public schools rank internationally, with 78% guessing the US ranks either in the middle or lower than most countries (42%, 36%, respectively). FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION IS A KEY CONCERN On education, parents favor local over federal. There is clear worry about federal involvement in education. About half of parents (53%) say the federal government has too much control over schools in their local community. Even Democrats are divided (35% too much, 38% about the right amount). Similarly, on education parents are far more trusting of public school teachers, principals, the PTA, and their local school board than of political figures or parties. Democratic and Republican parents alike trust local teachers, principals, and their PTA more than their respective parties. CONCLUSION Parents may rate their own local schools well, but show concern about the nation s schools more broadly. Many worry students are underprepared, over- tested, and are faring worse than students internationally. Concerns about federal involvement also pervade. While many parents are following the Common Core debate quite closely, misinformation is rampant. (Only 5% rightly know the Common Core is not a federal initiative for example.) Yet the characteristics and stated goals of the Core detached from the name Common Core are overwhelmingly popular. This demonstrates the importance of educating parents about how the Common Core addresses worries about federal involvement, under- preparedness, and teacher flexibility. For all parents, teachers not politicians are the best messengers. Purple Insights, September

5 METHODOLOGY Purple Insights conducted 827 interviews with parents who are registered voters. In total, 480 interviews were completed on landlines, 160 were completed on cell phones, and 187 were completed online. The margin of error is +/- 3.4%. The margin of error for subgroups is higher. Interviews were completed September 17-22, In this survey, parents includes parents, stepparents, foster parents, non- custodial parents, and legal guardians of children under the age of 18. ABOUT PURPLE INSIGHTS Purple Insights the in- house opinion research group at Purple Strategies conducted this survey on behalf of the Center for American Progress. In 2012, Purple Insights created the PurplePoll to provide a bipartisan look at the critical electorate that would determine the election outcome; it was named one of most accurate polls of the year, ahead of most major news organizations. Purple Insights, September