This story was originally published by Chalkbeat.
DENVER | Just 10% of Colorado Republicans said the state’s public education system is headed in the right direction, according to polling data released this week. That’s compared with 43% of Democrats — revealing a wide gap between the two political parties.
Republicans said schools focus too much on “woke ideology” and not enough on reading, writing, and math, Magellan Strategies reported. The Colorado company, which has done regular polling on education for years, surveyed a representative sample of 1,078 registered Colorado voters in October. The survey has a margin of error of 2.98%.
In Aurora’s Congressional District 6, poll results show that about half of respondents from both parties think public schools “are on the wrong track.”
Nationwide, satisfaction with the K-12 education system is at a record low, according to an August Gallup poll. Much of the decline is being driven by Democrats and independents whose satisfaction has plummeted since President Donald Trump took office in January. Satisfaction with education among Republicans nationwide was at 29%, which is significantly higher than in Colorado.
In Colorado, Republicans were less likely than Democrats to think their local school district was spending taxpayer money wisely, the Magellan Strategies poll shows. And while 91% of Democrats said additional funding would result in better education for students, only 28% of Republicans said so.
“It’s almost like the trench lines are getting deeper,” said Magellan Strategies CEO David Flaherty.
Democrats and Republicans also had different opinions on what makes schools great.
Democrats were more likely to say schools should focus on attracting and retaining high-quality teachers and teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Republicans were more likely to value teaching the basics and preparing students for a job right after high school.
Only 3% of Republicans said providing a welcoming environment for students of different backgrounds should be a top priority for schools, compared with 31% of Democrats.
On higher education, Democrats were more likely to say earning a four-year college degree is important. Republicans were more likely to favor career and technical education over preparing students for college.
But voters from both political parties largely agreed that college is unaffordable. Only 21% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans said earning a degree from a public college such as the University of Colorado is very or somewhat affordable.
“College is not in a good place,” Flaherty said.
The survey also asked voters about Colorado’s universal preschool program, which offers some free preschool to all 4-year-olds. Most voters had a favorable opinion of the program, but it was higher among Democrats than Republicans. Those who didn’t like it made comments such as, “it’s not the state’s job to raise kids” and “children should be at home until kindergarten.”
Opinions on school closures differed too. Lower birth rates are causing enrollment in Colorado’s public schools to decline, and several districts have closed small schools. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say schools with low enrollment should be closed.
See the full poll results here.
Melanie Asmar is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
The problem with education in Colorado directly stems from Republicans holding spending down on K-12 education and hiring too many unqualified administrators. By that I mean specifically too much emphasis is put on degrees and not near enough emphasis is put on experience in the classroom. The ridiculous habit of using the education fund as a budget balancing mechanism is seriouly flawed. Colorado STILL spends over $2,000 less per student per year than the average in the US. This, in a state where the cost of living is soaring. Finally, TABOR is a horrible idea!
Your team’s been in charge of the state for about 20 years now, Mikey, including the largest suburbs in the Denver metro. Republicans also aren’t on the hiring committees for these schools and their boards–that’s your team as well.
Maybe you should look in the mirror when it comes to these struggles, but we know you think absolutely nothing that goes wrong is your fault, but that of your so-called “oppressors.” Poser.
And yet another article where the reporter just ignores the 49% plurality who are Unaffiliated and writes as if the opinions expressed by the two parties are all that matters. Its utter BS!
Actual unbiased journalism is dead. This piece is propaganda.
I agree somewhat with the need for the “3 Rs,” because, along with their inherent value, they teach kids HOW TO LEARN. On the other hand, problem solving and critical thinking, as well as checkbook balancing, compounded interest, life skills like simple cooking and simple mechanical understanding are the skills necessary to become a real adult. Oh, and the sense to admit when you’re wrong if you made a mistake or were wrong, apologize, and vow to learn from it. Wait….that’s hard when the “adults” simply blame anyone or anything else instead.