USC Education Poll
M4 Strategies
#PROJ-12-04-847
Sample: 956 California Adults (Over Age 18)
Mode: Online
Fielding Dates 4/27/12 - 4/30/12
FINAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you for your participation. Please read the following important instructions before
proceeding.
The survey will take about 20 minutes. You cannot stop the survey and restart later, so be sure
you have enough time before starting.
Click on the “continue” button below to begin the survey.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Generally speaking, would you say the state of California is on the right track, or would
you say things are off on the wrong track?
Right
track
20.8%
16.0%
24.1%
Total
White
Latino
Wrong
track
58.4%
68.9%
51.8%
Don’t
know
20.8%
15.1%
24.1%
2. Thinking about the challenges facing California as a state, please select the three most
important issues in any order facing the governor and state legislature.
Total
White
Latino
Jobs/
econ
719
281
284
State
budg/
def/
spend/
tax
634
285
210
State
gov
reg
91
47
30
Pens
ref
133
80
28
Educ/
schools
446
170
220
Immig/
illeg
imm
245
116
92
Crime/
gangs/
drugs
Healthcare
Trans/
roads/
infra
155
59
58
201
68
76
109
50
34
Spec
int/
cmpgn/
don
74
46
18
Other
13
7
2
Don’t
know
28
5
10
[SECTION: GETTING DOWN TO FACTS]
Now, I'd like to ask you about one specific issue: education.
M4 12-04-847
1
3. (SPLIT A) Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D and F to rate the quality of their
work at school. Suppose the California public schools were graded in the same manner.
In the past few years, what grade would you give California public schools?
Total
White
Latino
A
1.3%
0.0%
2.7%
B
13.2%
9.8%
13.6%
C
40.7%
43.2%
40.9%
D
26.3%
29.3%
25.5%
F/Fail
13.2%
12.2%
14.5%
Don’t
know
5.3%
5.6%
2.7%
4. (SPLIT B) Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D and F to rate the quality of their
work at school. Suppose your local public schools were graded in the same manner. In
the past few years, what grade would you give your local public schools?
Total
White
Latino
A
6.2%
6.6%
6.7%
B
24.5%
23.0%
26.7%
C
36.9%
35.2%
40.0%
D
13.5%
16.0%
8.3%
F/Fail
6.7%
7.0%
3.3%
Don’t
know
12.2%
12.3%
15.0%
5. (SPLIT A) In the past few years, would you say California public schools have gotten
better, worse or have stayed about the same?
Total
White
Latino
Gotten
better
6.7%
4.9%
8.2%
Gotten
worse
58.9%
57.1%
64.5%
Stayed the
same
26.7%
28.9%
23.6%
Don’t
know
7.7%
9.1%
3.6%
6. (SPLIT B) In the past few years, would you say your local public schools have gotten
better, worse or have stayed about the same?
Total
White
Latino
Gotten
better
13.7%
9.4%
25.0%
Gotten
worse
45.0%
46.3%
36.7%
Stayed the
same
26.6%
32.0%
23.3%
Don’t
know
14.7%
12.3%
15.0%
[SECTION: FINANCE]
This November, there could be two tax measures on the statewide ballot (ROTATE Q7 AND Q8).
7. If either or both tax initiatives are passed, please select the three most important areas
in any order that new education money should be spent.
M4 12-04-847
2
Total
White
Latino
Hire
more
tchrs
404
149
168
Hire
more
supp
staff
90
23
44
Dec
class
sizes
433
186
154
Incr
tchrs
salaries
188
72
66
Extd
sch yr
167
94
48
Incr
lngth
sch
day
97
59
20
Incr
fund
for
summr
school
116
39
58
Incr
fund
for
aftersch
prog
173
57
64
Restore
educ
fund
cuts
389
176
130
Incr
resrcs
404
145
160
Don’t
know
74
27
28
Other
75
34
30
8. If neither tax initiative passes, there may be further cuts in education budgets. Please
check all areas below where cuts should be made.
Shorten
sch year
183
47
84
Total
White
Latino
Incr class
sizes
176
71
62
Lay off
tchrs
67
28
30
Dec fund
for sch
tranport
201
101
60
Charge fees
for extracurr activ
402
194
126
Cut aftersch prog
212
111
60
Other
Don’t
know
198
92
74
246
86
96
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following (ROTATE Q12 TO Q19).
(SECTION: OPINION ON CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS)
9. To improve the performance of California’s public schools the state should increase
spending on education.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
31.3%
32.6%
31.2%
Smwt
agree
35.3%
31.6%
38.2%
Smwt
disagg
14.3%
13.9%
14.1%
Strng
disagg
12.2%
16.0%
10.0%
Don’t
know
7.0%
5.8%
6.5%
Total
Agg
66.6%
64.2%
69.4%
Total
Disagg
26.5%
29.9%
24.1%
Agg Disagg
40.1%
34.3%
45.3%
10. Spending should be increased even if it means your own taxes will increase.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
27.3%
32.8%
25.9%
Smwt
agree
20.7%
17.3%
21.2%
Smwt
disagg
31.9%
30.9%
33.5%
Strng
disagg
9.4%
11.7%
7.6%
Don’t
know
10.8%
7.3%
11.8%
Total
Agg
48.0%
50.1%
47.1%
Total
Disagg
41.3%
42.6%
41.1%
Agg Disagg
6.7%
7.5%
6.0%
11. (SPLIT A) We should raise taxes on all Californians to prevent future cuts to education.
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
agree
9.3%
8.7%
8.2%
Smwt
agree
31.7%
29.3%
33.6%
Smwt
disagg
23.1%
23.0%
21.8%
Strng
disagg
27.5%
32.8%
28.2%
Don’t
know
8.4%
6.3%
8.2%
Total
Agg
41.0%
38.0%
41.8%
Total
Disagg
50.6%
55.8%
50.0%
Agg Disagg
-9.6%
-17.8%
-8.2%
3
12. (SPLIT B) We should raise taxes on the wealthy to prevent future cuts to education.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
36.3%
29.9%
41.7%
Smwt
agree
23.6%
23.4%
21.7%
Smwt
disagg
18.1%
16.4%
21.7%
Strng
disagg
14.7%
24.6%
6.7%
Don’t
know
7.3%
5.7%
8.3%
Total
Agg
59.9%
53.3%
63.4%
Total
Disagg
32.8%
41.0%
28.4%
Agg Disagg
27.1%
12.3%
35.0%
13. California spends too much on educational bureaucracy, and not enough in the
classroom.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
49.6%
59.1%
49.4%
Smwt
agree
30.3%
24.1%
31.8%
Smwt
disagg
5.0%
4.1%
4.1%
Strng
disagg
3.7%
4.0%
3.5%
Don’t
know
11.4%
8.7%
11.2%
Total
Agg
79.9%
83.2%
81.2%
Total
Disagg
8.7%
8.1%
7.6%
Agg Disagg
71.2%
75.1%
73.6%
14. California public school teachers need more support than teachers in other states to do
their jobs well because class sizes are so large.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
19.5%
14.9%
27.1%
Smwt
agree
35.5%
33.9%
34.7%
Smwt
disagg
18.2%
19.8%
17.1%
Strng
disagg
13.0%
18.1%
10.6%
Don’t
know
13.8%
13.4%
10.6%
Total
Agg
55.0%
48.8%
61.8%
Total
Disagg
31.2%
37.9%
27.7%
Agg Disagg
23.8%
10.9%
34.1%
15. Any increase in spending on education should be tied to changes in the way education
resources are used to make the California public school system more productive.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
39.6%
45.6%
37.6%
Smwt
agree
36.6%
34.5%
36.5%
Smwt
disagg
7.7%
6.0%
9.4%
Strng
disagg
5.0%
4.9%
5.3%
Don’t
know
11.2%
9.0%
11.2%
Total
Agg
76.2%
80.1%
74.1%
Total
Disagg
12.7%
10.9%
14.7%
Agg Disagg
63.5%
69.2%
59.4%
16. Provide more local control through local school boards and individual schools for setting
standards and determining what students are taught.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
agree
20.1%
26.2%
17.6%
Smwt
agree
42.6%
39.0%
47.6%
Smwt
disagg
17.0%
18.1%
15.3%
Strng
disagg
8.9%
8.9%
8.2%
Don’t
know
11.3%
7.9%
11.2%
Total
Agg
62.7%
65.2%
65.2%
Total
Disagg
25.9%
27.0%
23.5%
Agg Disagg
36.8%
38.2%
41.7%
17. Which approach do you think is best to improve public schools in California?
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Prov more
fund to
local sch
9.5%
6.2%
14.1%
Make
reforms,
spend
money
more eff
40.0%
45.6%
35.9%
Both fund
and
reforms
42.3%
43.1%
40.0%
Don’t
know
8.1%
5.1%
10.0%
4
18. What percentage of the money spent in California’s education system do you think is
wasted? Please write in your percentage from 0 to 100 below. [OPEN-ENDED]
0-10%
32.1%
33.8%
31.2%
Total
White
Latino
11-20%
9.9%
12.8%
5.9%
Greater
than 20%
53.4%
49.1%
58.2%
Don’t
know
4.6%
4.3%
4.7%
19. What’s the most significant area of wasteful spending?
High
admin
sal
44.6%
43.9%
48.2%
Total
White
Latino
Ineffect
tchrs
17.5%
14.9%
18.8%
Prov
retire
ben for
tchrs
4.1%
6.2%
2.4%
Programs
that don’t
raise test
scores
5.8%
4.0%
6.5%
Resources
not use
efficiently
6.6%
6.4%
7.6%
State reqs
9.4%
13.4%
5.9%
Don’t
know
9.0%
7.3%
8.2%
Other
2.8%
4.0%
2.4%
20. What is the most important area in public school education for California to spend new
money?
Total
White
Latino
Incr tchr
salaries
7.2%
7.5%
5.9%
Hire more
tchrs
29.4%
32.2%
26.5%
Hire more
sch supp
staff
7.6%
6.2%
9.4%
Add tch
resources
24.7%
20.2%
30.6%
Impr sch
infrastruc
11.8%
10.7%
12.9%
Other
9.9%
12.1%
8.8%
Don’t
know
9.5%
11.1%
5.9%
21. If the state had additional funding for education and you were only given the two
options below, where should the state spend the money?
Total
White
Latino
Incr tchr
salaries
16.8%
15.3%
18.8%
Hire
more
tchrs
66.7%
69.3%
64.1%
Don’t
know
16.5%
15.4%
17.1%
How important are each of the following possible changes to the California educational system
on a scale where 4 is “very important,” 3 is “somewhat important,” 2 is “somewhat
unimportant,” and 1 is “not at all important?” [ROTATE Q22 TO Q30]
22. More spending on economically disadvantaged children
Total
M4 12-04-847
Not at all
imp
7.0%
Smwt
Unimp
20.8%
Smwt
Imp
38.9%
Very Imp
23.3%
Don’t
know
10.1%
Total
unimp
27.8%
Total
imp
62.2%
Imp Unimp
34.4%
5
White
Latino
8.7%
7.1%
24.7%
18.2%
42.4%
34.1%
16.2%
31.2%
8.1%
9.4%
33.4%
25.3%
58.6%
65.3%
25.2%
40.0%
23. Leave decisions about how to spend money to local public schools and school districts
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
5.1%
5.1%
5.9%
Smwt
Unimp
13.5%
13.2%
11.8%
Smwt
Imp
44.2%
45.8%
41.2%
Very Imp
25.8%
27.9%
28.8%
Don’t
know
11.5%
8.1%
12.4%
Total
unimp
18.6%
18.3%
17.7%
Total
imp
70.0%
73.7%
70.0%
Imp Unimp
51.4%
55.4%
52.3%
Very Imp
65.5%
78.5%
60.0%
Don’t
know
10.2%
4.7%
12.9%
Total
unimp
5.0%
2.2%
6.5%
Total
imp
84.9%
93.0%
80.6%
Imp Unimp
79.9%
90.8%
74.1%
Total
imp
62.0%
60.1%
61.7%
Imp Unimp
32.0%
26.0%
31.7%
24. Greater transparency in how money is spent
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
1.1%
.9%
1.2%
Smwt
Unimp
3.9%
1.3%
5.3%
Smwt
Imp
19.4%
14.5%
20.6%
25. Increase teacher salaries to bring more qualified personnel into the field
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
9.3%
11.5%
8.2%
Smwt
Unimp
20.7%
22.6%
21.8%
Smwt
Imp
40.2%
38.4%
38.2%
Very Imp
21.8%
21.7%
23.5%
Don’t
know
8.0%
5.8%
8.2%
Total
unimp
30.0%
34.1%
30.0%
26. Career and technical training for students who may not attend a 4-year university
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
2.3%
1.1%
2.4%
Smwt
Unimp
7.2%
4.7%
10.0%
Smwt
Imp
28.9%
26.6%
30.6%
Very Imp
54.9%
63.3%
50.0%
Don’t
know
6.6%
4.3%
7.1%
Total
unimp
Total
imp
Imp Unimp
9.5%
5.8%
12.4%
83.8%
89.9%
80.6%
74.3%
84.1%
68.2%
27. Have students spend less time taking standardized tests and more time learning
subjects
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
2.2%
1.9%
2.4%
Smwt
Unimp
10.5%
9.0%
11.2%
Smwt
Imp
34.8%
32.6%
37.1%
Very Imp
44.1%
50.5%
41.8%
Don’t
know
8.4%
6.0%
7.6%
Total
unimp
12.7%
10.9%
13.6%
Total
imp
78.9%
83.1%
78.9%
Imp Unimp
66.2%
72.2%
65.3%
Total
unimp
5.6%
3.0%
8.2%
Total
imp
90.4%
94.7%
87.6%
Imp Unimp
84.8%
91.7%
79.4%
28. Place more emphasis on the basics of reading, writing and math
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Not at all
imp
.9%
1.1%
.6%
Smwt
Unimp
4.7%
1.9%
7.6%
Smwt
Imp
23.4%
25.4%
20.0%
Very Imp
67.0%
69.3%
67.6%
Don’t
know
4.0%
2.3%
4.1%
6
29. Better prepare students for careers in science and technology
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
1.3%
.9%
1.2%
Smwt
Unimp
5.5%
2.8%
7.6%
Smwt
Imp
34.2%
29.6%
38.2%
Very Imp
53.5%
62.5%
47.6%
Don’t
know
5.5%
4.1%
5.3%
Total
unimp
6.8%
3.7%
8.8%
Total
imp
87.7%
92.1%
85.8%
Imp Unimp
80.9%
88.4%
77.0%
Total
unimp
27.9%
37.3%
21.2%
Total
imp
63.2%
55.9%
69.4%
Imp Unimp
35.3%
18.6%
48.2%
30. Raise taxes on the wealthy to prevent future cuts to education
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
imp
16.5%
24.5%
10.6%
Smwt
Unimp
11.4%
12.8%
10.6%
Smwt
Imp
26.2%
23.9%
25.9%
Very Imp
37.0%
32.0%
43.5%
Don’t
know
8.9%
6.8%
9.4%
(SECTION: CHARTER SCHOOLS)
31. How much do you know about charter schools?
Total
White
Latino
Nothing
20.7%
12.6%
25.9%
Very little
37.0%
35.8%
40.0%
Some
34.5%
42.2%
26.5%
A lot
7.7%
9.4%
7.6%
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following (ROTATE 32 TO 35 AS ONE GROUP AND Q36 AS ONE GROUP).
32. Charter schools are public schools
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
9.3%
7.5%
11.2%
Smwt
disagg
12.7%
11.5%
11.2%
Smwt
agree
26.2%
30.5%
22.9%
Strng
agree
21.2%
26.9%
18.8%
Don’t
know
30.6%
23.5%
35.9%
Total
Disagg
22.0%
19.0%
22.4%
Total
Agg
47.4%
57.4%
41.7%
Agg Disagg
25.4%
38.4%
19.3%
33. They spend a smaller percentage than traditional public schools on administration and
bureaucracy
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
disagg
4.4%
4.0%
4.7%
Smwt
disagg
11.6%
10.0%
13.5%
Smwt
agree
26.9%
34.1%
20.0%
Strng
agree
12.0%
16.0%
10.0%
Don’t
know
45.0%
36.0%
51.8%
Total
Disagg
16.0%
14.0%
18.2%
Total
Agg
38.9%
50.1%
30.0%
Agg Disagg
22.9%
36.1%
11.8%
7
34. They achieve better student academic outcomes than traditional public schools
Strng
disagg
4.5%
5.3%
4.7%
Total
White
Latino
Smwt
disagg
11.0%
10.4%
11.8%
Smwt
agree
35.4%
39.2%
30.0%
Strng
agree
18.1%
19.8%
18.8%
Don’t
know
31.0%
25.4%
34.7%
Total
Disagg
15.5%
15.7%
16.5%
Total
Agg
53.5%
59.0%
48.8%
Agg Disagg
38.0%
43.3%
32.3%
Strng
agree
5.9%
6.2%
4.1%
Don’t
know
36.6%
27.7%
44.1%
Total
Disagg
39.9%
44.4%
39.4%
Total
Agg
23.4%
27.9%
16.5%
Agg Disagg
-16.5%
-16.5%
-22.9%
35. They take funding away from public schools
Strng
disagg
18.6%
18.6%
20.0%
Total
White
Latino
Smwt
disagg
21.3%
25.8%
19.4%
Smwt
agree
17.5%
21.7%
12.4%
(SECTION: OPINION)
36. There is a fair process to determine which students have access to charter schools
Strng
disagg
7.0%
5.8%
8.2%
Total
White
Latino
Smwt
disagg
14.6%
17.5%
12.9%
Smwt
agree
22.1%
21.8%
21.8%
Strng
agree
7.2%
8.3%
7.6%
Don’t
know
49.0%
46.5%
49.4%
Total
Disagg
21.6%
23.3%
21.1%
Total
Agg
29.3%
30.1%
29.4%
Agg Disagg
7.7%
6.8%
8.3%
[SECTION: WEIGHTED STUDENT FUNDING]
37. Please check the three most important individuals or groups to make decisions about
how education money is spent.
Total
White
Latino
Parents
488
203
180
Tchrs
544
241
190
Princip
271
125
86
Loc
comm
361
167
126
Sch
brds
423
183
140
Dist
offic
199
82
66
State Sup
of Pub
Instr
State
leg
Gov
Jerry
Brown
173
71
60
84
28
40
73
17
28
The
fed
gov
69
23
32
Other
43
16
12
38. Should the state provide additional resources to poorer school districts?
Total
White
Latino
Yes
67.1%
62.1%
71.2%
No
17.1%
23.7%
12.4%
Don’t know
15.8%
14.1%
16.5%
39. [IF YES TO Q38] [SPLIT A] Do you still agree even if this means lower spending in
wealthier school districts?
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Agree
66.2%
66.8%
66.0%
Disagree
10.6%
10.8%
10.4%
Don’t know
23.3%
22.4%
23.6%
8
40. [IF YES TO Q38] [SPLIT B] Do you still agree even if it means less spending in schools in
your community?
Total
White
Latino
Agree
55.3%
58.4%
53.6%
Disagree
15.2%
13.5%
16.1%
Don’t know
29.6%
28.1%
30.4%
41. [IF YES TO Q38] Do you still agree even if it means paying higher taxes?
Total
White
Latino
Agree
47.4%
50.7%
43.4%
Disagree
31.1%
26.5%
37.7%
Don’t know
21.5%
22.9%
18.9%
[SECTION: GOVERNANCE]
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following [ROTATE Q42 TO Q44]
42. The state should leave decisions about how to spend money to local school boards and
administrators.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.6%
4.1%
5.9%
Smwt
disagg
9.4%
7.0%
12.9%
Smwt
agree
44.3%
47.8%
41.2%
Strng
agree
32.0%
35.6%
29.4%
Don’t
know
9.7%
5.5%
10.6%
Total
Disagg
14.0%
11.1%
18.8%
Total
Agg
76.3%
83.4%
70.6%
Agg Disagg
62.3%
72.3%
51.8%
43. Schools and school districts should have more flexibility to spend money in response to
local needs.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
7.6%
10.2%
5.9%
Smwt
disagg
12.9%
15.4%
10.6%
Smwt
agree
40.7%
45.0%
38.2%
Strng
agree
31.3%
24.5%
37.6%
Don’t
know
7.6%
4.9%
7.6%
Total
Disagg
20.5%
25.6%
16.5%
Total
Agg
72.0%
69.5%
75.8%
Agg Disagg
51.5%
43.9%
59.3%
44. Federal officials have too much control over local decisions about education.
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
disagg
5.4%
4.0%
5.9%
Smwt
disagg
16.0%
16.4%
14.1%
Smwt
agree
31.9%
35.0%
28.2%
Strng
agree
28.7%
31.3%
31.8%
Don’t
know
18.0%
13.4%
20.0%
Total
Disagg
21.4%
20.4%
20.0%
Total
Agg
60.6%
66.3%
60.0%
Agg Disagg
39.2%
45.9%
40.0%
9
[SECTION: HUMAN RESOURCES]
45. Please select the group that is most responsible for improving academic performance in
schools.
Total
White
Latino
Tchrs
49.8%
56.5%
43.5%
Parents
22.2%
24.9%
18.8%
Princip
4.6%
3.6%
5.9%
Sch
brds
9.9%
7.2%
13.5%
State
gov
5.5%
2.8%
7.1%
Fed gov
1.3%
.6%
2.4%
Other
.7%
.8%
.6%
Don’t
know
6.1%
3.8%
8.2%
46. How much do teachers contribute to a school’s student academic success?
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
1.1%
.4%
1.2%
Somewhat
12.9%
9.4%
17.1%
A great
deal
81.1%
87.8%
75.3%
Don’t
know
5.0%
2.4%
6.5%
47. How much do principals contribute to a school’s student academic success?
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
12.9%
10.0%
15.9%
Somewhat
55.9%
60.6%
52.9%
A great
deal
23.8%
23.5%
24.1%
Don’t
know
7.5%
5.8%
7.1%
48. How much do parents contribute to a school’s student academic success?
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
2.1%
2.1%
2.4%
Somewhat
20.9%
18.8%
22.4%
A great
deal
71.7%
76.6%
68.2%
Don’t
know
5.3%
2.4%
7.1%
49. How much do peers/friends contribute to a school’s student academic success?
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
8.6%
9.4%
8.8%
Somewhat
53.4%
52.4%
56.5%
A great
deal
30.4%
32.2%
26.5%
Don’t
know
7.6%
6.0%
8.2%
50. How much do state policies contribute to a school's student academic success?
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Not at all
23.7%
28.2%
23.5%
Somewhat
44.2%
47.6%
38.8%
A great
deal
19.3%
14.7%
22.9%
Don’t
know
12.8%
9.4%
14.7%
10
51. How much does support from the school district contribute to a school's student
academic success?
Total
White
Latino
Not at all
9.4%
9.4%
10.0%
Somewhat
50.1%
56.3%
45.3%
A great
deal
28.9%
25.2%
31.8%
Don’t
know
11.6%
9.0%
12.9%
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following [ROTATE Q52 AND Q55]
52. Principals should be able to choose the teachers that work in their schools even if this
means reducing the rights of teachers
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
15.4%
11.5%
19.4%
Smwt
disagg
25.7%
24.9%
25.9%
Smwt
agree
33.6%
37.1%
30.6%
Strng
agree
13.5%
17.7%
11.8%
Don’t
know
11.7%
8.9%
12.4%
Total
Disagg
41.1%
36.4%
45.3%
Total
Agg
47.1%
54.8%
42.4%
Agg Disagg
6.0%
18.4%
-2.9%
53. Principals should have more freedom to dismiss teachers whose performance is
unsatisfactory
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.7%
5.3%
4.1%
Smwt
disagg
8.5%
5.8%
8.8%
Smwt
agree
30.5%
28.1%
30.6%
Strng
agree
48.8%
56.7%
47.1%
Don’t
know
7.5%
4.1%
9.4%
Total
Disagg
13.2%
11.1%
12.9%
Total
Agg
79.3%
84.8%
77.7%
Agg Disagg
66.1%
73.7%
64.8%
Don’t
know
6.8%
3.4%
8.2%
Total
Disagg
19.8%
17.4%
25.3%
Total
Agg
73.4%
79.3%
66.4%
Agg Disagg
53.6%
61.9%
41.1%
54. Teachers should not be dismissed without a fair hearing
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
8.3%
8.7%
8.2%
Smwt
disagg
11.5%
8.7%
17.1%
Smwt
agree
33.1%
32.8%
32.9%
Strng
agree
40.3%
46.5%
33.5%
55. Teachers should have time during the school day to develop lessons and work with
other teachers
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
disagg
6.9%
6.8%
6.5%
Smwt
disagg
11.1%
10.9%
12.4%
Smwt
agree
40.9%
43.3%
38.8%
Strng
agree
33.5%
34.3%
33.5%
Don’t
know
7.7%
4.7%
8.8%
Total
Disagg
18.0%
17.7%
18.9%
Total
Agg
74.4%
77.6%
72.3%
Agg Disagg
56.4%
59.9%
53.4%
11
On a four-point scale where 4 is “very essential,” 3 is “somewhat essential,” 2 is “somewhat
unessential,” and 1 is “not at all essential,” how essential are the following to student academic
achievement?
56. Librarians
Total
White
Latino
Strng
unessen
6.4%
4.3%
8.2%
Smwt
unessen
15.8%
13.0%
19.4%
Smwt
essen
44.1%
51.2%
35.9%
Strng
essen
27.6%
27.5%
30.0%
Don’t
know
6.1%
4.0%
6.5%
Total
Unessen
22.2%
17.3%
27.6%
Total
Essen
71.7%
78.7%
65.9%
Essen Unessen
49.5%
61.4%
38.3%
Smwt
unessen
12.0%
13.0%
13.5%
Smwt
essen
38.7%
44.3%
32.4%
Strng
essen
40.7%
37.5%
43.5%
Don’t
know
6.0%
3.0%
8.2%
Total
Unessen
14.5%
15.3%
15.9%
Total
Essen
79.4%
81.8%
75.9%
Essen Unessen
64.9%
66.5%
60.0%
Smwt
unessen
17.7%
15.6%
21.2%
Smwt
essen
46.1%
50.7%
38.8%
Strng
essen
23.8%
24.5%
23.5%
Don’t
know
7.8%
5.3%
9.4%
Total
Unessen
22.3%
19.6%
28.3%
Total
Essen
69.9%
75.2%
62.3%
Essen Unessen
47.6%
55.6%
34.0%
Strng
essen
24.8%
23.2%
29.4%
Don’t
know
7.3%
6.0%
7.6%
Total
Unessen
24.3%
24.1%
24.7%
Total
Essen
68.4%
69.9%
67.6%
Essen Unessen
44.1%
45.8%
42.9%
Don’t
know
4.8%
5.5%
3.5%
Total
Unessen
46.3%
51.0%
45.3%
Total
Essen
48.9%
43.5%
51.2%
Essen Unessen
2.6%
-7.5%
5.9%
57. Counselors
Total
White
Latino
Strng
unessen
2.5%
2.3%
2.4%
58. Teacher aides
Total
White
Latino
Strng
unessen
4.6%
4.0%
7.1%
59. School administrators (e.g., principals)
Total
White
Latino
Strng
unessen
5.6%
5.3%
6.5%
Smwt
unessen
18.7%
18.8%
18.2%
Smwt
essen
43.6%
46.7%
38.2%
60. District administrators (e.g., superintendents)
Total
White
Latino
Strng
unessen
19.0%
20.3%
20.0%
Smwt
unessen
27.3%
30.7%
25.3%
Smwt
essen
39.6%
36.3%
38.8%
Strng
essen
9.3%
7.2%
12.4%
[SECTION: DATA AND ACCCOUNTABILITY]
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following [ROTATE Q61 TO Q73]
M4 12-04-847
12
61. I have access to as much information as I need about how my neighborhood schools are
performing.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
17.7%
17.9%
21.2%
Smwt
disagg
21.9%
20.3%
20.0%
Smwt
agree
26.0%
27.3%
25.3%
Strng
agree
8.2%
7.9%
9.4%
Don’t
know
26.2%
26.6%
24.1%
Total
Disagg
39.6%
38.2%
41.2%
Total
Agg
34.2%
35.2%
34.7%
Agg Disagg
-5.4%
-3.0%
-6.5%
62. I have access to as much information as I need about how my school district is
performing.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
18.8%
18.6%
20.6%
Smwt
disagg
24.5%
25.6%
22.9%
Smwt
agree
21.5%
21.1%
21.2%
Strng
agree
7.4%
7.3%
8.2%
Don’t
know
27.7%
27.3%
27.1%
Total
Disagg
43.3%
44.2%
43.5%
Total
Agg
28.9%
28.4%
29.4%
Agg Disagg
-14.4%
-15.8%
-14.1%
63. I have access to as much information as I need about how money is spent in my district.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
33.3%
33.3%
34.7%
Smwt
disagg
23.9%
27.1%
21.2%
Smwt
agree
12.4%
11.9%
11.2%
Strng
agree
4.7%
3.0%
7.1%
Don’t
know
25.7%
24.7%
25.9%
Total
Disagg
57.2%
60.4%
55.9%
Total
Agg
17.1%
14.9%
18.3%
Agg Disagg
-40.1%
-45.5%
-37.6%
Total
Disagg
33.2%
34.7%
30.0%
Total
Agg
29.1%
23.3%
37.0%
Agg Disagg
-4.1%
-11.4%
7.0%
Total
Disagg
44.0%
46.5%
42.3%
Total
Agg
19.6%
15.3%
23.5%
Agg Disagg
-24.4%
-31.2%
-18.8%
Total
Disagg
Total
Agg
Agg Disagg
45.5%
49.0%
41.7%
46.4%
45.0%
50.0%
0.9%
-4.0%
8.3%
64. I know my school’s Academic Performance Index (API) score.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
23.4%
26.6%
19.4%
Smwt
disagg
9.8%
8.1%
10.6%
Smwt
agree
15.8%
12.8%
18.8%
Strng
agree
13.3%
10.5%
18.2%
Don’t
know
37.6%
42.0%
32.9%
65. I have seen my school’s School Accountability Report Card (SARC).
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
34.8%
39.7%
29.4%
Smwt
disagg
9.2%
6.8%
12.9%
Smwt
agree
11.5%
7.0%
14.7%
Strng
agree
8.1%
8.3%
8.8%
Don’t
know
36.4%
38.2%
34.1%
66. State test scores are a good measure of student performance.
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
disagg
16.7%
16.8%
18.2%
Smwt
disagg
28.8%
32.2%
23.5%
Smwt
agree
38.8%
39.4%
40.0%
Strng
agree
7.6%
5.6%
10.0%
Don’t
know
8.0%
6.0%
8.2%
13
67. State test scores are a good measure of teacher performance.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
18.9%
21.1%
16.5%
Smwt
disagg
30.7%
33.5%
27.1%
Smwt
agree
34.2%
32.0%
38.2%
Strng
agree
6.6%
5.1%
8.8%
Don’t
know
9.6%
8.3%
9.4%
Total
Disagg
49.6%
54.6%
43.6%
Total
Agg
40.8%
37.1%
47.0%
Agg Disagg
-8.8%
-17.5%
3.4%
68. State test scores are a good measure of overall school performance.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
15.1%
16.6%
14.1%
Smwt
disagg
28.0%
32.4%
22.9%
Smwt
agree
39.5%
39.2%
40.0%
Strng
agree
8.1%
4.1%
13.5%
Don’t
know
9.2%
7.7%
9.4%
Total
Disagg
43.1%
49.0%
37.0%
Total
Agg
47.6%
43.3%
53.5%
Agg Disagg
4.5%
-5.7%
16.5%
Strng
agree
22.6%
27.1%
21.2%
Don’t
know
15.4%
12.8%
15.3%
Total
Disagg
22.9%
21.8%
23.6%
Total
Agg
61.7%
65.3%
61.2%
Agg Disagg
38.8%
43.5%
37.6%
Total
Disagg
17.8%
15.5%
20.0%
Total
Agg
76.0%
80.8%
73.0%
Agg Disagg
58.2%
65.3%
53.0%
69. Schools spend too much time on testing.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.4%
2.6%
6.5%
Smwt
disagg
18.5%
19.2%
17.1%
Smwt
agree
39.1%
38.2%
40.0%
70. Teachers are the best judge of how well students are learning.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.6%
3.4%
5.9%
Smwt
disagg
13.2%
12.1%
14.1%
Smwt
agree
45.9%
45.4%
46.5%
Strng
agree
30.1%
35.4%
26.5%
Don’t
know
6.2%
3.8%
7.1%
71. Schools that consistently fail to meet academic performance standards should be
closed.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
25.2%
25.2%
28.2%
Smwt
disagg
32.2%
36.3%
25.9%
Smwt
agree
21.0%
20.3%
22.4%
Strng
agree
8.3%
8.7%
7.1%
Don’t
know
13.3%
9.4%
16.5%
Total
Disagg
57.4%
61.5%
54.1%
Total
Agg
29.3%
29.0%
29.5%
Agg Disagg
-28.1%
-32.5%
-24.6%
72. Schools with large percentages of students who perform poorly on standardized tests
should receive additional support from the state to give them a chance to improve.
Total
White
Latino
M4 12-04-847
Strng
disagg
9.5%
12.1%
8.2%
Smwt
disagg
20.8%
22.6%
18.8%
Smwt
agree
36.9%
38.2%
36.5%
Strng
agree
19.5%
15.1%
22.9%
Don’t
know
13.3%
12.1%
13.5%
Total
Disagg
30.3%
34.7%
27.0%
Total
Agg
56.4%
53.3%
59.4%
Agg Disagg
26.1%
18.6%
32.4%
14
73. Schools with large percentages of students that consistently perform poorly on
standardized tests should be required to make major changes including replacing the
principal, having an outside group come in to run the school, and so on, if they cannot
improve student performance.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
10.4%
10.7%
10.0%
Smwt
disagg
17.8%
18.1%
17.1%
Smwt
agree
36.4%
36.5%
40.0%
Strng
agree
19.9%
21.8%
17.6%
Don’t
know
15.6%
12.8%
15.3%
Total
Disagg
28.2%
28.8%
27.1%
Total
Agg
56.3%
58.3%
57.6%
Agg Disagg
28.1%
29.5%
30.5%
74. (SPLIT A) Now I am going to read you a list of several options that may be used to help
determine how public school teachers in California are paid. After I read the list, please
tell me which ONE you think should be the biggest factor in determining California
public school teachers' pay.
Total
White
Latino
Stud ach
9.4%
13.6%
11.2%
Educ,
adv
train
8.7%
7.3%
8.5%
Tchng
exper
23.3%
36.4%
29.9%
Stud ach
on stan
tsts
31.4%
12.7%
21.6%
Evals
10.1%
7.3%
8.5%
Tchng
import
subj
3.8%
6.4%
4.4%
Work in
sch w/
poor Eng
5.2%
4.5%
4.8%
Other
8.0%
11.8%
11.1%
75. (SPLIT B) Standardized test scores can be a component of public school teacher
evaluations, along with classroom observation, parent surveys, examination of lesson
plans, and evaluation of student work. Thinking specifically about standardized test
scores of their students, in your opinion, how much should student test scores count
toward a teacher's evaluation? You can write in a percentage from 0 to 100 below.
[OPEN-ENDED]
Total
White
Latino
0-25%
48.8%
60.7%
35.0%
26-50%
31.7%
24.5%
40.0%
51-75%
13.9%
10.3%
18.3%
76-100%
5.6%
4.5%
6.7%
(SECTION: AWARENESS OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS)
On a four-point scale, where 4 is “strongly agree,” 3 is “somewhat agree,” 2 is “somewhat
disagree,” and 1 is “strongly disagree,” please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the
following [ROTATE Q76 TO Q77 AS ONE GROUP, Q78 TO Q79 AS ONE GROUP, Q80 TO Q81 AS
ONE GROUP, Q82 TO Q83 AS ONE GROUP, AND Q84 TO Q85 AS ONE GROUP]
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15
76. Funding for California public schools has been cut in recent years.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.1%
2.6%
5.3%
Smwt
disagg
4.7%
4.5%
4.1%
Smwt
agree
22.3%
22.6%
20.0%
Strng
agree
58.5%
61.0%
60.0%
Don’t
know
10.4%
9.2%
10.6%
Total
Disagg
8.8%
7.1%
9.4%
Total
Agg
80.8%
83.6%
80.0%
Agg Disagg
72.0%
76.5%
70.6%
77. [IF ANSWERED 3 OR 4 FOR Q78] How big of a problem is the fact that funding for
California public schools has been cut in recent years? [OPEN-ENDED]
78. California public school students perform poorly on national tests when compared to
students in most other states.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
3.0%
2.1%
3.5%
Smwt
disagg
14.1%
12.1%
15.3%
Smwt
agree
34.3%
35.6%
36.5%
Strng
agree
19.4%
24.1%
15.9%
Don’t
know
29.2%
26.2%
28.8%
Total
Disagg
17.1%
14.2%
18.8%
Total
Agg
53.7%
59.7%
52.4%
Agg Disagg
36.6%
45.5%
33.6%
79. [IF ANSWERED 3 OR 4 FOR Q80] How big of a problem is the fact that California public
school students perform poorly on national tests when compared to students in most
other states? [OPEN-ENDED]
80. California spends less on education per public school pupil than most other states.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
8.2%
13.0%
4.7%
Smwt
disagg
12.7%
16.0%
8.8%
Smwt
agree
23.3%
20.2%
28.2%
Strng
agree
16.1%
18.8%
15.3%
Don’t
know
39.7%
32.0%
42.9%
Total
Disagg
20.9%
29.0%
13.5%
Total
Agg
39.4%
39.0%
43.5%
Agg Disagg
18.5%
10.0%
30.0%
81. [IF ANSWERED 3 OR 4 FOR Q82] How big of a problem is the fact that California spends
less on education per public school pupil than most other states? [OPEN-ENDED]
82. California spends less now on education per public school pupil than it did in 2007.
Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
4.3%
4.9%
4.1%
Smwt
disagg
6.0%
7.3%
4.1%
Smwt
agree
26.5%
28.2%
25.9%
Strng
agree
22.4%
21.5%
24.7%
Don’t
know
40.8%
38.0%
41.2%
Total
Disagg
10.3%
12.2%
8.2%
Total
Agg
48.9%
49.7%
50.6%
Agg Disagg
38.6%
37.5%
42.4%
83. [IF ANSWERED 3 OR 4 FOR Q84] How big of a problem is the fact that California spends
less now on education per public school pupil than it did in 2007? [OPEN-ENDED]
84. California has fewer public school support staff such as administrators, librarians, and
counselors per public school pupil than almost any other state.
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Total
White
Latino
Strng
disagg
7.5%
11.5%
4.7%
Smwt
disagg
11.4%
13.4%
9.4%
Smwt
agree
22.0%
18.5%
23.5%
Strng
agree
11.4%
9.2%
14.7%
Don’t
know
47.8%
47.5%
47.6%
Total
Disagg
18.9%
24.9%
14.1%
Total
Agg
33.4%
27.7%
38.2%
Agg Disagg
14.5%
2.8%
24.1%
85. [IF ANSWERED 3 OR 4 FOR Q86] How big of a problem is the fact that California has
fewer public school support staff such as administrators, librarians, and counselors per
public school pupil than almost any other state. [OPEN-ENDED]
DEMOGRAPHICS
Now I would like to ask you a few final questions just for statistical purposes…
86. How would you describe your political ideology?
Very conservative
6.6%
Somewhat Conservative
22.2%
Conservative
28.8%
Liberal
32.4%
Somewhat Liberal
19.9%
Very Liberal
12.5%
Moderate/Independent
21.1%
Libertarian
3.2%
Other
2.7%
Don’t know/refused
11.8%
87. How would you further describe your political ideology?
Fiscally conservative, socially conservative
21.9
Fiscally conservative, socially liberal
29.1
Fiscally conservative
51.0%
Fiscally liberal
23.8%
Fiscally liberal, socially liberal
19.4
Fiscally liberal, socially conservative
4.4
Other
6.5
Don’t know/refused
18.7
88. Are you male or female?
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Male
46.5%
Female
53.5%
17
89. Which of the following categories reflects your age?
18 to 24
15.0%
25 to 34
19.9%
35 to 44
17.5%
45 to 54
18.2%
55 to 64
65 and older
12.6%
16.2%
Don’t know/refused
0.5%
90. What best describes your racial or ethnic heritage?
White/Non Hispanic
41.7%
Latino/Hispanic
35.6%
Black/African-American
Asian-American/Pacific Islander
6.2%
12.2%
Other
3.9%
Don’t know/Refused
0.5%
91. Are you or your spouse or partner a current or retired member of a public or private
labor union?
Yes, public employee non-teachers union
7.5%
Yes, public employee teachers union
4.8%
Yes, private employee union
4.0%
Yes, both public employee union and
private employee union
No
2.8%
75.4%
Don’t know/refused
5.4%
92. Are you a teacher? If you are not a teacher, please respond with whether anyone in
your family is a teacher?
Yes, self
Yes, family member
Yes, both
No
Don’t know/refused
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5.4%
12.3%
2.0%
76.6%
3.8%
18
93. In 2011 what was your total family income from all sources before taxes?
Total
< 10k
5.3%
20k
to <
30k
8.4%
10k to
< 20k
5.1%
30k
to <
50k
15.4%
50k to
< 75k
17.2%
75k to
< 100k
16.3%
100k
to <
150k
14.2%
150k
to <
250k
6.1%
250k
to <
500k
2.0%
500k+
.7%
Don’t
know
2.8%
Refused
6.5%
94. What is the last year of schooling that you have completed?
st
1 – 11
grade
1.7%
Total
th
High sch grad
13.5%
Some coll, 2yr coll,
Assoc deg
46.6%
Non-coll post
HS/Tech sch
6.6%
4-yr coll grad,
bach deg
19.6%
Post-grad sch
12.0%
95. Do you have a Smartphone, meaning a phone that can access the internet and/or can
download applications?
Yes
No
62.7%
37.3%
96. Which of the following best describes your phone use?
Only Landline
Both Landline and Cell
Cell Only
4.1%
64.5%
31.4%
97. Do you have children?
Yes
No
55.3%
44.7%
98. [AG] [IF A TO Q97] How many children do you have?
Total
1
26.0%
2
42.0%
3
17.8%
4
9.3%
5
2.4%
>5
2.5%
99. [AG] [IF A TO Q97] Do you have any children who are 18 or under years of age?
Yes
No
100.
46.4%
53.6%
[AG] [IF A TO Q97] Do you have children currently in school in California?
Yes, public school
Yes, public charter school
Yes, private or parochial school
Yes, home schooled
No, Not in school
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36.4%
3.4%
5.2%
.8%
54.2%
19
101.
What best describes your occupation?
White Collar
34.8%
Blue Collar
12.3%
Student
11.6%
Unemployed
8.1%
Homemaker
6.3%
Part-time
9.0%
Other
Refused
102.
15.2%
2.8%
Geographic breakdown [from voter file]*
Los Angeles
29.3%
Orange County
10.3%
Inland Empire
8.7%
San Diego
9.2%
Central Valley
11.8%
Central Coast
4.7%
Bay Area
Northern/Sierra
21.7%
4.4%
*“Bay Area” is Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara,
Solano, and Sonoma Counties.
“North/Sierra” is Alpine, Amador, Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo,
Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou,
Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yolo, and Yuba Counties.
“Central Coast” is Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura Counties.
“Central Valley” is Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San
Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties.
“Inland Empire” is Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
“Orange County,” “Los Angeles” and “San Diego” are each independent counties.
103.
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