Two surveys of Washington teachers and voters are helping to drive the education debate this legislative session.
- ESN Poll: What Washington Teachers Think About ”Race to the Top” Issues
- PFL Poll: Survey of Washington voters on education reform and Race to the Top
A poll by the Excellent Schools Now Coalition (ESN) and one by Partnership for Learning (PFL) are in hot demand from advocates, educators, policymakers and the media. ESN, which includes LEV, conducted a survey of 500 teachers about their opinion of criteria outlined in Race to the Top, such as standards and assessments, data systems, and evaluating educators. PFL conducted a similar poll, but surveyed Washington voters instead. The polls were released to the public at the ESN Race to the Top Luncheon on January 14, 2010.
The polls find that Washington State public school teachers and residents overwhelmingly support the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top reforms.
The media quickly honed in on the significance of the findings.
- The Tacoma News Tribune Editorial Board said a recent poll of classroom teachers on education reform and Race to the Top provides timely insight for the 2010 session.
- The Spokesman-Review Editorial Board said lawmakers must take action in order to win Race to the Top funds.
- Peter Callaghan writes in the Tacoma News Tribune today that Gov. Gregoire is hopeful Washington can make the changes necessary to win a Race to the Top grant with the support of the teacher’s union.
