New SFNY Poll Finds New Yorkers Won't Accept Excuses for Inaction on Teacher Evaluations
Glen Weiner // November 29, 2012Recently StudentsFirstNY asked the Democratic polling firm Anzalone Liszt Research to survey New Yorkers on their views of a new teacher evaluation system. The results could not be more definitive –support for a new teacher evaluation system is robust and resilient throughout the poll.
Evidence of this overwhelming and persistent support includes:
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Four-out-of-five New York City voters (80%) support a new teacher evaluation system based on both classroom observations and test scores, with 56% supporting such a system strongly.
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After voters hear a detailed description of the plan, support remains strong, with 74% continuing to back such a plan and just 17% opposing it.
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Among parents of children in the city’s public schools, support for the plan following a description is just as strong (73%), with just under half (49%) backing it strongly.
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When presented with a balanced debate, with statements from both supporters and opponents of a new teacher evaluation system, voters favor the new system by a 48-point margin (69% support / 21% oppose), with over two-thirds continuing to support it.
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Intensity is clearly on the side of supporters as well, with nearly four times as many voters strongly supporting a new evaluation system (44%) as strongly opposing it (12%).
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Support for the system also transcends both geographic and demographic lines; as over 60% of voters in each borough and across every major demographic group support a new teacher evaluation system after hearing statements from both supporters and opponents.
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Even among households with a teacher, a new evaluation system is supported by a 26-point margin (58% support / 32% oppose) after a debate.
Other interesting findings from the poll include:
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Having a quality teacher in every classroom is seen as the most important factor in providing a good education of the twelve factors that were tested.
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More than three quarters of voters (77%) who were aware of New York City’s current teacher evaluation system said it needed improvement.
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Three quarters of City voters said they support the use of student feedback. (Despite a recent news report indicating that student feedback is not likely to be included in New York City’s new teacher evaluation system)
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More than seven in ten City voters agreed that officials up in Albany have a responsibility to make sure a deal gets done and New York City doesn’t lose the $300 million for its schools -- sending a strong message to Albany that inaction will not reflect well on them.
Read the press release announcing the poll.
