1. Key Findings Colorado Statewide Education Survey December 13, 2011 Lori Weigel Partner Chris Keating President

2. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 2 To better understand voter attitudes around the quality of public education, what makes a good school and willingness to increase funding To determine the voter priorities on the various aspects of public education within ECE-12 schools and higher education To better understand how to frame the debate around improving Colorado public schools and funding The purpose of this poll is not to determine the best solution or remedy to the state budget and education funding problem

3. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 3 901 telephone interviews statewide with registered 2012 likely-voters Overall margin of error of 3.27% at the 95% confidence interval for the total sample; sub-groups vary Bi-partisan research team of Public Opinion Strategies and Keating Research, Inc. Live telephone interviews conducted November 6-9, 2011 including traditional land lines and cell phones Interviews distributed proportionally throughout the state and demographically representative of the electorate

5. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 5 We are in a time of great economic uncertainty and low confidence in government. The poor economy brings education to the forefront with half of Colorado voters naming education as one of the top issues facing the state. Most focus on education funding as the greatest concern. Majorities of voters say too little is being spent on K-12 education, funding should be increased, and they are willing to pay more in taxes to increase funding. Only a minority say that funding should be increased a lot. Voters perceive anything related to higher education as less important than many aspects of K-12 education. Voters are far less willing to pay increased taxes, and perceptions continue to be divided over whether too much or too little money flows into this area.

6. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 6 Voters want students to learn the basics with a good teacher in a safe environment. Getting rid of ineffective teachers is viewed as very important, but not something that is currently done well. A quick simulation of messaging and additional information about where Colorado ranks in education is not enough to significantly shift opinion. Education is a familiar topic and it will take a great deal to move numbers. Teachers and “employers” and Governor Hickenlooper are the best messengers of information about public education.

8. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 8 Nearly half of voters mention education as one of the most important issues facing Colorado What would you say are the most important issues or challenges facing Colorado? Multiple response question % Ranked by Top Mention

9. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 9 School funding, schools need more money and school funding cuts Improve school quality and schools are poor quality More, better qualified teachers Higher education issue Reduce administrative waste Reduce class sizes, class sizes are too large In fact, more than one-third point to school funding specifically as one of the top challenges facing the state. It dominates all other aspects of education. % Ranked by Total Aspect of Education

10. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 10 What is the biggest problem or challenge facing K-12 public schools in Colorado? The problem is funding and resources “Budget.” “Budget cuts.” “Funding.” “Money.” “Resources.” “Underfunded.” “Qualified teachers.” “Good teachers.” “Overcrowding of schools.” “Overpopulation.” “Overcrowding in the classroom and cutting programs.”

11. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 11 What is the biggest problem or challenge facing K-12 public schools in Colorado?

12. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 12 3-in-10 voters grade public schools as an A or a B. A drop from 4-in-10 in 2005 “Now I would like you to think about the Kindergarten through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado. Many teachers use the letters A, B, C, D or Fail to grade their students. Suppose you have the opportunity to grade the K through 12th grade public schools in Colorado, what grade would you give them? An A, B, C, D or Fail?”

13. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 13 More Than Anything School Quality is a Partisan Issue

14. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 14 When you think of a good public school, what is the most important quality or characteristic that comes to mind? A good school is defined by quality teachers “Teachers.” “Good teachers.” “Quality teachers.” “Strong teachers.” “Basic education, read, write, spell, math.” “Get back to the basics.” “Academics.” “Ability to prepare kids for college and life in general, more emphasis on education.”

15. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 15 When you think of a good public school, what is the most important quality or characteristic that comes to mind?

17. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 17 A majority of voters say too little is spent on K-12 education, while voters are more likely to say higher education spending is about right -38-16 “Thinking about the tax dollars that are spent on education in Colorado. Do you feel that too much is being spent on K through 12 th grade education / Colorado’s public colleges, do you think too little is being spent, or do you feel what is now being spent is about the right amount?”

18. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 18 A majority say that funding should be increased for K-12 public schools 27% A Lot “Do you think funding for K through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado needs to be increased, decreased or should it be kept the same? Do you think funding for public schools in Colorado needs to be increased a lot, some, or just a little?” 22% Some 7% Little / don’t know

19. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 19 The willingness to pay more in taxes for K-12 education and higher education dramatically differs 46% Strongly “Would you be willing, or not willing, to pay more in taxes to increase funding for K through 12 th grade public schools / Colorado’s public colleges and universities?” Do you feel strongly about that, or not?” 30% Strongly 43% Strongly 33% Strongly

20. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 20 Voters who grade schools A/B are most willing to pay increased taxes for K-12 education “Would you be willing, or not willing, to pay more in taxes to increase funding for K through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado? +22 +44 -34

21. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 21 Oct. 2011: 7.6% Lowest level in 2 years Colorado Unemployment rate 2001 - 2011 Sept. 2005: 5.1% Lingering High Unemployment Creates Uncertainty

22. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 22 Education is much more likely to be voiced as the top issue facing the state today than in the past *In previous surveys conducted on behalf of Rocky Mountain News the question was phrased, “What would you say is the single most important problem facing Colorado, that is, the one you are most concerned about?”

24. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 24 We provided respondents with 25 different areas of responsibility for public education in Colorado and asked them how important they view each one. Next I am going to read you a list of tasks or jobs that some people say are the responsibility of public education in Colorado. After I read each one, please tell me how important each one should be. Keeping in mind that it is difficult for everything to be equally important, please tell me if it should be extremely important, very important, just somewhat important, or not very important for public education in Colorado.

25. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 25 Respondents were asked to rate this same list on a different scale – how good a job the public education system is doing in these areas. Next I am going to read you a list of tasks or jobs that some people say are the responsibility of public education in Colorado. After I read each one, please tell me if you think, in general, public education in Colorado is doing an excellent, good, only fair or poor job carrying out that responsibility.

26. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 26 Job training and skills Updated textbooks, instructional materials, and supplies Changes to improve schools Access to computers and modern technology Affordable college tuition Education spending is more evenly distributed Maintaining a safe environment Understanding the basic subjects Providing equal access Providing teachers with the tools and training Getting rid of ineffective teachers Attracting and retaining the best quality teachers. Kids graduate from high school Discipline in the classroom Full day kindergarten Cutting edge research institutions Pre school opportunities Art, music or theater classes Education for 21st century jobs Coordinated education system Small class sizes No additional fees Competitive salary for teachers Replacing deteriorating schools

27. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 27 Focused Priorities: Good Teachers, Education Basics, Education Access and Student Achievement Ex./Good 11% 30% 26% 34% 32% 17% 19% 30%

28. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 28 We also tested 13 factual statements regarding public education to gauge which ones are more likely to shift voter opinion about the need for increasing funding. Next I am going to read you some statements that some people have said about public education in Colorado. After I read each statement, please tell me if it makes you more likely to support a tax increase for public education, less likely to support a tax increase for public education, or if it makes no difference.

29. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 29 Voters Respond Best To Hearing Colorado Is Behind The National Average In Spending Per Pupil % Ranked by Total More Likely After I read each statement, please tell me if it makes you more likely to support a tax increase for public education, less likely to support a tax increase for public education, or if it makes no difference.

30. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 30 Leading in Education Reforms Is The Least Persuasive % Ranked by Total More Likely After I read each statement, please tell me if it makes you more likely to support a tax increase for public education, less likely to support a tax increase for public education, or if it makes no difference.

31. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 31 The Concerns About Colorado Schools Have Pushed Voters to Give Schools a Lower Grade “Now I would like you to think about the Kindergarten through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado. Many teachers use the letters A, B, C, D or Fail to grade their students. Suppose you have the opportunity to grade the K through 12th grade public schools in Colorado, what grade would you give them? An A, B, C, D or Fail?”

33. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 33 Voters are divided over whether new funds should be used to restore cuts or for new reforms “If more funding were available for K through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado, which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion?” It should be used to implement new education reforms It should be used to restore education funding that was cut

34. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 34 However, providing specific examples increases the likelihood that voters opt for restoring cuts “If more funding were available for K through 12 th grade public schools in Colorado, which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion?” It should be used to implement new education reforms such as programs to improve student achievement and state of the art technology in the classroom It should be used to restore education funding that was cut over the past few years, so we can reduce class sizes, rehire quality teachers and eliminate fees for programs and materials

35. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 35 By Nearly 3-to-1 Voters Agree The Best Way to Grow Our Economy Is to Increase Investment In Schools “I’d like to read which one you agree with more even if neither exactly matches what you think?” Other/some people say that if the best way to improve our schools is through a tax increase, then that’s the last thing we need in this economy Some/other people say that the best way to grow our economy and create jobs is to increase our investment in schools that prepare our kids for the high-tech jobs of the future

36. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 36 This data underscores the importance of teachers and highlights that “employers” can also be compelling communicators. “Now I’m going to read the names of several individuals or groups who might have an opinion on public education funding and taxes in Colorado. After I read each one, please tell me if that is a person whose opinion you would respect or whose opinion you would be suspicious of?” +56-14+36+29+10

37. Colorado Statewide Education Survey Slide 37 Voter Attitudes: Education is identified as an important issue and funding seen as a problem; good teachers are identified as a key for quality education; public school quality is a partisan issue Funding: Agree that too little is spent on K-12 education, a majority say they are willing to increase taxes for K-12 education – but not a lot, voters want to see money in the classroom and for teachers Priorities: Voters want students to learn the basics, have access to good teachers, and feel that schools do well with high-tech, safety issues Framing: Voters are divided on restoring cuts or reforming education, but after hearing specifics side with restoring; agree that growing the economy comes with an investment in education. Its difficult to move voters to agree that taxes should be raised

38. Email: lori@pos.org Phone: (303) 433-4424 Fax: (303) 433-4253 www.pos.org Email: ckeating2009@gmail.com Phone: (303) 514-0268 www.keatingresearch.com / Lori Weigel, Partner Chris Keating, President