At the heart of the PDK/Gallup Poll again this year is one principal theme that in nearly every instance, data, facts, or complete context is not offered in exchange for the opinions sought.
From questions about unions’ impact on educational quality, to whether online learning works, the questions seem determined to elicit feelings and sentimentalities more than thoughtful responses.
Ask a friend or neighbor which they like better –– freedom or prescribed ways of doing things. Invariably, they will pick the former. So the conclusion that most people do not want teachers being told what to do is not really valid. There is so much more behind the issue of what is taught, measured and expected (and this coming from a group known for opposing top down controls!)
Get insight from Center for Education Reform President Jeanne Allen on the rest of this well-intentioned but flawed annual report here.