The Impact of the “Trump Effect” on Public Education
Recent findings from the 2017 Education Next annual survey of American public opinion on education shed light on the shifting landscape of support and opposition concerning various education policies. In particular, the report highlights the influence of the so-called “Trump Effect” on public perceptions of key issues in education.
Support for charter schools, a hotly debated topic in the realm of education policy, has experienced a significant decline over the past year. According to the survey, public support for charter schools has dropped by 12 percentage points, from 51 percent in the previous year to just 39 percent this year, with 36 percent opposed. This decrease in support cuts across party lines, as both Republicans and Democrats have shown a decrease in favorability towards charter schools, with Republicans at 47 percent support and Democrats at 34 percent.
Similarly, opposition to school vouchers and tax credits for private-school scholarships has seen a decline, despite partisan differences. While opposition to universal vouchers has decreased from 44 percent to 37 percent, support for vouchers targeted towards low-income parents has increased by six percentage points.
The report also delves into the impact of the “Trump Effect” on public opinion regarding education policies. The analysis reveals that support for universal vouchers has risen among Republicans but fallen among Democrats, widening the partisan gap on this issue. Additionally, opposition to tax-credit funded scholarships has decreased, reflecting changing sentiments towards private-school scholarships.
One notable finding from the survey is the stabilization of opposition to the Common Core State Standards. When the name “Common Core” is not mentioned, support for consistent standards across states rises among both Democrats and Republicans. However, there remains a partisan divide in support for Common Core, with Republicans showing less favorability compared to Democrats.
The survey also sheds light on the impact of President Trump’s policy preferences on public opinion. Trump’s endorsement of certain policies, such as charter schools, Common Core, tax credits, and merit pay for teachers, has widened the partisan divide on these issues. While Republicans tend to move towards Trump’s position on these issues, Democrats often move away from it, resulting in a polarizing effect on public opinion.
Moreover, the survey explores the influence of information about costs and earnings on college-going preferences. While most respondents express a preference for their child to pursue a 4-year degree, Hispanics show a significant shift towards this preference when provided with financial information comparing 2-year and 4-year degrees. This finding highlights the impact of education costs and earnings on decision-making for certain demographic groups.
In addition to these key findings, the survey includes representative samples of teachers, Hispanics, blacks, Republicans, and Democrats. The inclusion of these diverse groups allows for a comprehensive analysis of public opinion on education issues.
Overall, the 2017 Education Next survey provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of public opinion on education policies, highlighting the influence of the “Trump Effect” and other factors on perceptions of key issues in education. As policymakers and stakeholders navigate these shifting dynamics, understanding the underlying trends and drivers of public opinion is crucial for shaping effective education policies moving forward.