For increasing numbers of Americans, a crucial facet of the American Dream appears to be at risk. A solid majority consider a college degree an indispensable ticket to the middle class. At the same time, even more people believe college is financially out-of-reach for many qualified students. This is the message from new public opinion research by…

For increasing numbers of Americans, a fundamental element of the American Dream appears to be at risk. A solid majority consider a college degree an indispensable ticket to the middle class, while even more people believe college is financially out-of-reach for many qualified students. The authors of this report advocate that findings have…

Are parents an untapped resource in improving and reimagining K-12 education in Kansas City? What do they think would enhance student learning and what are they willing to do to help their children get the education they deserve? These are among the questions explored in an in-depth survey of 1,566 parents with children now in public school in the…

It is not the kind of atmosphere most adults would find helpful if they needed to study and learn-high dropout rates, kids promoted without learning, schools short on money, profanity and disrespect, fighting, drug and alcohol abuse. Yet these are "very serious" problems in schools, according to surprisingly large numbers of the nation's black and…

Discusses national survey of high school teachers and parents of high school students. Finds that while teachers and parents associate small schools with certain positive effects such as low dropout rates and high parent involvement, educators planning to reduce school size must resolve several parent and teacher concerns such as class size. (PKP)

This study explored public opinion with regard to educational vouchers and charter schools. It summarizes findings from an in-depth national survey conducted in 1999 of 1,200 members of the public, including 394 parents of school-age children. The study also examined parents' attitudes in several areas where vouchers and charter schools are now…

This report summarizes findings from two national opinion surveys that looked at issues surrounding parental involvement in schools. One survey assessed the views of 1,000 public school teachers; the other examined the views of 1,220 parents of children currently in public school. The focus of the survey was to find out what parents and teachers…

The American Diploma Project, an influential consortium that includes Achieve, Inc., The Education Trust, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation believes that expectations about what youngsters learn in high school must be raised dramatically. According to the group, "the diploma has lost its value because what it takes to earn one is disconnected…

This report examines students', teachers', and parents' reactions to standardized testing and whether the move to raise academic standards has improved the quality of college students and new employees. It is based on telephone interviews conducted in late 2001 with a national and random sample of 600 K-12 public-school teachers, 610 parents of…

This report examines students', teachers', and parents' reactions to standardized testing and whether the move to raise academic standards has improved the quality of college students and new employees. It is based on telephone interviews conducted in late 2000 with a national and random sample of public-school teachers, parents of public-school…

There is compelling evidence that organized, structured activities during the out-of-school hours play a valuable and a highly valued role in the lives of the nation's young people, but low-income and minority families are far more likely to be dissatisfied with the quality, affordability and availability of options in their communities. This…

Summarizes key findings from "Time to Move On: African-American and White Parents Set an Agenda for Public Schools," which reports the aspirations and concerns of black and white parents according to telephone surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews of parents and public educational professionals. (CMK)

This report is the third in a series of "Reality Check" reports finds that five years into the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act and over a dozen years into the so-called standards movement in American education, the public now sees these reforms as "necessary, but not sufficient." This is consistent across a…

Summarizes findings from a study conducted by Public Agenda and the Public Education Network that shows that, although some differences are apparent, both African-American and White parents want safe and orderly schools for their children, with a solid grounding in the basics, high standards, and strong teaching staffs. (SLD)

This booklet reports on the results of in-depth telephone surveys of 800 black parents and 800 white parents who were questioned about their children's education. Also included is information from focus groups and individual interviews with parents and public education professionals. Public Agenda plans eventually to conduct similar surveys of…