Voter Perceptions:
Common Core State
Standards & Tests
Key Findings From A National Survey of N=800 Voters.
Conducted November 14-18, 2013; Margin of Error +3.5%.
Project # 13480
Perceptions of
Public Education
2
Perceptions of Public Education
In the issue landscape, public education is on par with
the economy and government spending.
Now, thinking about some issues facing our country, please tell me how important
each of the following issues are for the government to address.
% Extremely
Important
% Extremely/Very
Important
Job creation and economic growth
43%
88%
Reducing the federal budget deficit and government spending
41%
78%
Improving the quality of public education
40%
82%
Improving the health care system
34%
73%
Combating terrorism at home in the United States and overseas
33%
72%
Securing our borders and addressing the issue of immigration
28%
63%
Investing in alternative energy sources*
21%
53%
Reducing taxes^
21%
52%
Issues
*Asked of N=397 registered voters.
^Asked of N=403 registered voters.
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Perceptions of Public Education
Few voters think K-12 public education is working pretty well.
A majority believe students are graduating high school unprepared.
When it comes to public education in grades K through 12
in our country, do you think our public schools….
Working pretty
well now
9%
Some changes
are needed, but
basically should
be kept the same
54%
35%
43%
Major changes
are needed
A complete
overhaul is
needed
And, when it comes to having sufficient academic knowledge
and skills, do you believe graduates of our nation’s public high
schools are – very prepared, somewhat prepared, somewhat
unprepared or very unprepared – to meet the expectations
they face as they take the next steps after high school?
32%
20%
Breakdowns may not add to total due to rounding.
Prepared
Unprepared
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Perceptions of Public Education
A majority of voters say academic requirements for students in public
schools should be raised.
In general, do you believe academic requirements for students in public schools should be
raised, lowered, or kept the same as they are right now?
66%
28%
3%
Raised
Asked of N=397 registered voters.
Kept The Same
Lowered
5
Perceptions of Public Education
Voters have mixed views on the current amount of student testing.
In general, do you believe that students in public schools are given too many standardized tests, not enough standardized
tests, or about the right amount of standardized tests throughout the school year?
36%
37%
13%
Too Many
Asked of N=403 registered voters.
Right Amount
Not Enough
6
Perceptions of Public Education
About two-thirds of voters say it is better for states to have the same
standards in math and English rather than having different standards.
I am going to read you two statements about education standards in subjects such as mathematics, reading, and English
language skills, and please tell me which comes closer to your point of view on this.
It is better for all states to have the
SAME STANDARDS at each grade level in
math and English so students across the
country have to meet the same expectations.
67%
OR
It is better for all states to have their
OWN STANDARDS at each grade level in
math and English so each state can be sure
that the standards reflect their own
priorities.
Standards asked of N=397 registered voters.
30%
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Perceptions of Public Education
Similarly, a majority say it is better for states to have the same tests in
math and English rather than having different tests.
I am going to read you two statements about education tests in subjects such as mathematics, reading, and English
language skills, and please tell me which comes closer to your point of view on this.
It is better for all states to have the
SAME TESTS at each grade level in math
and English so test scores can be compared
across states.
61%
OR
It is better for all states to have their
OWN TESTS at each grade level in math
and English so each state can be sure the
tests reflect their own priorities.
Tests asked of N=403 registered voters.
34%
8
The Common Core
State Standards
(CCSS)
9
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
A majority of voters report hearing little or nothing about CCSS.
Those who are aware of CCSS are split in their opinion of the standards.
Over the last few years a new set of educational standards
were developed for English and math for students in grades
K through 12. They are called Common Core State Standards
and they are now being implemented by 45 states across the
country.
Thinking about the last six months, how much have you
seen, read or heard about these Common Core State
Standards? (A lot, some, not much, nothing at all)
Opinion of the CCSS Among N=483
Who Are Aware Of The Standards
(Margin of Error of N=483 is +4.5%)
And, has what you have seen, read or heard recently about
the Common Core State Standards given you a favorable or
unfavorable impression of the standards?
63%
37%
39% Nothing
37%
40%
Not Too Much/
Nothing At All
Favorable
Unfavorable
16% A Lot
A Lot/Some
10
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
When all voters are asked if they favor or oppose implementing the
CCSS in their state, a plurality offers their support.
Based on what you know about them, do you favor or oppose implementing
the Common Core State Standards here in (STATE)?
Total Favor
Total Oppose
40%
25%
Don't Know/
Refused
35%
Strongly
Oppose
14%
Strongly
Favor
14%
Somewhat
Favor
26%
Somewhat
Oppose
11%
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Respondents were provided with the following information
about the Common Core State Standards and asked if they
would favor or oppose their implementation:
Over the last few years a new set of educational standards were developed for English
and math for students in grades K through 12. They are called the Common Core State
Standards and are now being taught in classrooms in 45 states across the country.
The standards were developed under the guidance of state governors and state school
chiefs who relied on teachers, content experts, and higher education faculty
to help draft and review them.
The goal of the standards is to help all students have the knowledge and skills they need
in English and math so that they will be prepared as they leave high school and enter the
workforce or go on to college, and that all students would be held to the same
expectations, regardless of their state, school, or district.
12
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
After hearing the brief description, a solid majority of voters say they
favor implementing the Common Core State Standards.
% Strongly Favor
32%
Women
39%
18-44
31%
45+
40%
<College
38%
College +
32%
White
31%
African American
53%
Hispanic
48%
Republican
28%
Independent
25%
Democrat
46%
Northeast
37%
Midwest
33%
South
37%
West
34%
Public School Moms
42%
Public School Dads
24%
Teacher/Education Households
30%
Union Households
37%
Support Tea Party
30%
Not Support Tea Party
38%
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these
Men
Common Core State Standards?
69%
36% Strongly
23%
13% Strongly
Favor
Oppose
% Favor
65%
73%
69%
70%
73%
65%
67%
81%
77%
61%
65%
80%
70%
72%
67%
69%
76%
58%
66%
68%
56%
75%
13
The Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
By almost a two-to-one margin, a majority of voters side with
supporters when provided with the key arguments of the CCSS debate.
Supporters say these Common Core State Standards are more challenging
for students so they will be better prepared by the end of high school for
college and careers. They say there has been too much “teaching to the
test” in the past and these standards change that by emphasizing real
learning and real world skills, like critical thinking and problem solving.
…while…
Opponents say these Common Core State Standards have not been tested
in the classroom and there is no evidence they will work or improve
education in our state. They say these standards are an attempt to
federalize education by imposing a "one‐size‐fits‐all" approach to teaching
and measuring student ability.
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The Common Core
State Standards
Assessments
15
Respondents were provided with the following information
about the Common Core State Standards Assessments and
asked if they would favor or oppose their implementation:
As the Common Core State Standards are being implemented and
taught, new tests aligned to the standards are also under development.
These new tests are designed to help determine what students know and
can do, and whether they are on track to graduate from high school
ready for college or the workforce. Over time, these new tests would
replace the current end of year state tests being given here in (STATE).
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The Common Core State Standards
Assessments (CCSS Assessments)
A strong majority support implementation of the CCSS assessments.
Do you favor or oppose implementing these new tests?
66%
31%
Strongly
22%
13%
Strongly
Favor
Oppose
Men
Women
18-44
45+
<College
College +
White
African American
Hispanic
Republican
Independent
Democrat
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Public School Moms
Public School Dads
Teacher/Education Households
Union Households
Support Tea Party
Not Support Tea Party
% Strongly Favor
28%
34%
31%
31%
33%
27%
26%
57%
40%
20%
22%
43%
30%
31%
33%
28%
46%
23%
26%
32%
22%
34%
% Favor
61%
70%
68%
65%
71%
59%
62%
87%
73%
57%
55%
76%
63%
68%
67%
66%
75%
56%
63%
62%
57%
70%
17
Respondents were asked if they agree or disagree with the
following statements knowing that in some states student
test scores have dropped since CCSS implementation:
These lower test scores should be expected in this early phase of implementation, because with
any new system there is always a period of adjustment as teachers and students
get used to the new standards and tests.*
Rather than blaming the tests for lower scores, we should give the new standards and tests time to work.
These lower test scores should be expected in this early phase of implementation, because with any new
system there is always a period of adjustment as teachers and students get used to the new
standards and tests. When teachers and students are more familiar with the standards,
student test scores will go back up.^
These lower tests scores prove that previous tests were not challenging enough and did not
accurately measure what students need to know and be able to do to be successful.
These lower test scores prove that the Common Core standards do not work and they are actually
lowering student performance rather than raising it.
*Asked of N=397 registered voters.
^Asked of N=403 registered voters.
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The Common Core State Standards
Assessments (CCSS Assessments)
The majority of voters disagree that a drop in test scores means the
CCSS are not working. Instead, most voters agree an adjustment
period is natural and we need to give the standards time to work.
Period of adjustment* 4%
12%
8%
35%
41%
20%
Give the new standards and
6%
tests time to work
76%
11%
9%
36%
38%
21%
Period of adjustment / 6%
Test scores will go back up^
74%
13%
13%
35%
33%
26%
Proves previous tests were
not challenging enough
11%
69%
14%
21%
28%
35%
Proves Common Core State
Standards do not work
12%
Don’t Know/Refused
54%
26%
30%
16%
Somewhat Disagree
Somewhat Agree
56%
Strongly Disagree
*Asked of N=397 registered voters. ^Asked of N=403 registered voters.
Breakdowns may not add to total due to rounding.
26%
16%
32%
Strongly Agree
19
The Common Core State Standards
Assessments (CCSS Assessments)
There is overwhelming support for giving teachers and students
time to adjust before there are consequences for the CCSS test results.
And, knowing that test scores may drop as these new
standards and tests are implemented would you favor or
oppose giving teachers and students time to adjust to the new
expectations before there are consequences for test results?
And, how much time do you think teachers and students
should be given to adjust to the new expectations before
there are consequences for test results?
There should
be no delay or
time given
81%
8%
31%
One year
54% Strongly
Three years or
more
15%
9% Strongly
Favor
27%
Two years
Oppose
There should
not be
consequences
18%
10%
20
The Common Core State Standards
Assessments (CCSS Assessments)
However, a majority still want teacher evaluations, based at least in
part on student test scores, to continue during the CCSS transition.
Please tell me which one of the following statements comes closest to your point view on the issue of
teacher evaluations as schools are making the transition to the Common Core State Standards and tests.
Do you think that teacher evaluations based in part on student test scores:
Should continue as schools transition because it
is necessary to hold our schools and teachers
accountable.
33%
Should continue as schools transition, but not
for decisions related to hiring or firing teachers.
19%
Should NOT continue as schools transition,
unless they are only used to reward good work
or to provide training to improve teaching.
Should NOT continue for any reason as
schools transition.
26%
Conditional
Continued
Evaluations
Overall
Continued
Evaluations
9%
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The Bottom Line
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The Bottom Line
 There is majority support for states to have the same standards and tests
rather than their own standards and tests.
 Most voters are still unaware of the Common Core State Standards, and
among those who have heard at least something, opinions are divided.
 However, upon hearing brief descriptions, a solid majority of voters
support implementing the CCSS standards and tests.
 The majority of voters agree that if test scores drop as the new CCSS
assessments are implemented it is only to be expected as students and
teachers adjust, and we should give the standards and tests time to work.
 Most voters would favor giving teachers and students time to adjust to
the new expectations before there are consequences for test results.
 Yet, voters still want some level of teacher accountability as the CCSS
standards and tests are implemented.
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Alex Bratty
Phone: (202) 247-0593
alex@pos.org
Dave Walker
Phone: (202) 478-8300
DWalker@gqrr.com
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