growing awareness, growing support poll
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Growing Awareness, Growing Support: Teacher
and Voter Understanding of the Common Core State
Standards & Assessments
June 2012
Methodology
On behalf of Achieve, Inc., Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research are pleased to present the key findings from a national survey of N=1,000 registered voters and N=500 K through 12 public school teachers.
The survey was conducted May 6-10, 2012 and has a margin of error of +3.1% among voters and +4.4% among teachers.
To help inform this survey, a series of eight focus groups (four among parents and four among teachers) were conducted in November-December 2011 to explore perceptions of, and reactions to, information related to the Common Core State Standards and assessments.
2
Background
3
In June 2010, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – K-12 standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy developed through a multi-state initiative – were released.
Since then, 46 states and Washington DC have chosen to adopt the new standards as their own. Implementation efforts are now underway in most of these states.
45 states and Washington DC are working to develop common assessments aligned to the CCSS, which will allow for better cross-state comparisons and will measure whether students are on track to graduating ready for college and careers.
As states are working to transform their education systems with new standards and assessments – impacting curriculum, professional development, and, in many cases, teacher evaluation systems – it’s critical that stakeholders, including teachers and voters/parents, are increasingly aware of, understand, and support the changes.
To support states, Achieve has been monitoring awareness and support for CCSS implementation through nationally-commissioned polling.
Key Findings from Growing Awareness, Growing Support: Teacher and Public Understanding of the Common Core State Standards & Assessments
4
Voters and teachers strongly support common standards and assessments. Voter support remains strong regardless of age, education level, race, ethnicity, or party affiliation.
There has been a significant increase in awareness of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) among teachers since August 2011, while awareness of the CCSS continues to be very low among the voting public.
The more teachers know about the CCSS, the more positive impression they have of the standards. Similarly, voters who are aware of the CCSS hold a favorable view of the standards.
A majority of both voters and teachers support new CCSS assessments, and support holds when more information on the assessments is provided.
However, there are mixed reactions to some specific likely components of the new assessments, although voters and teachers are fairly consistent in their views on the highest and lowest rated assessment components.
Common Core State Standards
Common Core State Standards
Since last summer, there has been virtually no change in voters saying they have heard about the Common Core State Standards.
However, teachers report a much greater level of awareness.Thinking about the last six months, how much have you seen, read or heard about these
Common Core State Standards?
A Lot/Some
Not Much/Nothing
60% Nothing
At All
A Lot/Some
Not Much/Nothing
60% Nothing
At All
A Lot/Some
46% A Lot
Not Much/Nothing
A Lot/Some
65% A Lot
Among Voters Among Teachers
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Common Core State Standards
Based on what they have seen, read or heard about the CCSS, teachers report a more favorable impression of the standards
compared to last summer.And, has what you have seen, read or heard recently about the Common Core State Standards given you
a favorable or unfavorable impression of the standards?
Fav Unfav
11% VeryFav Unfav Fav
24%Very
Unfav Fav
Voters Teachers
Unfav
Among Those Who Have Seen/Read/Heard about CCSS
No Impact
No Impact
No Impact
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Respondents were then provided with the following information
about the Common Core State Standards and asked if they
would favor or oppose their implementation:
Now, just so everyone taking this survey has the same information, let me tell you some more about these Common
Core State Standards.
These new standards have been set to internationally competitive levels in English and math. This means that
students may be more challenged by the material they study, and the tests they take will measure more advanced concepts
and require students to show their work.
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these new Common Core State Standards?
Common Core State Standards
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Just a brief description of the CCSS produces solid support for the standards.
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these new Common Core State Standards?
Fav Unfav
43% Strongly
Fav Unfav
45% Strongly
Fav
47%Strongly
Unfav Fav
33% Strongly
Among Voters Among Teachers
Unfav
Common Core State Standards
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Among voters, there is broad and deep support across the major sub-groups.
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these new Common Core State Standards?
Voter Sub-Groups StronglyFavor
TotalFavor
Male 46% 74%
Female 44% 79%
18-44 44% 78%
45+ 45% 75%
White 43% 76%
African American 45% 81%
Less Than College 46% 77%
College + 44% 76%
Republican 44% 75%
Independent 46% 75%
Democrat 45% 82%
Parents 46% 76%
Non-Parents 45% 77%
Urban 49% 76%
Suburb 47% 78%
Rural 36% 70%
Favor
45% Strongly
Oppose
Among Voters
Common Core State Standards
10
The more teachers report having seen, read or heard about the Common Core State Standards, the more support and
enthusiasm they express for implementing them.Favor/Oppose Implementing CCSS Among Teachers
Favor
33% Strong
Oppose Favor
25% Strong
Oppose Favor
19% Strong
Oppose
18% Strong
By Seen, Read or Heard of CCSS
Favor
39% Strong
Oppose
Common Core State Standards
After hearing a brief description
of the CCSS
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Common Core State Standards
Assessments (CCSS Assessments)
Common Core State Standards Assessments
Respondents were provided with the following information about the development of new Common Core State Standards assessments and
asked if they would favor or oppose their implementation:
As the Common Core State Standards are being developed, new tests that will reflect the new standards are also being developed.
These new tests are being designed to help determine what students know and can do, and whether they are on track to
graduate from high school ready for college and career. Over time, these new tests would replace the current end of the year state
tests being given here in (INSERT STATE).
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these new tests?
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The brief description of new CCSS assessments results in majority support from voters and teachers.
Knowing this, do you favor or oppose implementing these new tests?
Among Voters Among Teachers
Favor
40% Strongly
Oppose Favor Oppose
25% Strongly
15% Strongly
Standards Favor
77%Oppose
15%
Standards Favor
72%Oppose
20%
Common Core State Standards Assessments
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Among voters, there is solid support for the assessments
across all the major sub-groups.
Favor/Oppose Implementing CCSS Assessments Among Voters
Voter Sub-GroupsStrongly
FavorTotal Favor
Male 41% 75%
Female 39% 73%
18-44 36% 74%
45+ 43% 73%
White 38% 75%
African American 43% 68%
Less Than College 43% 75%
College + 36% 72%
Republican 43% 80%Independent 38% 69%
Democrat 42% 76%
Parents 40% 75%
Non-Parents 40% 74%
Urban 41% 74%
Suburb 41% 77%Rural 34% 70%
Favor
40% Strongly
Oppose
Common Core State Standards Assessments
15
Again, the more teachers are aware of the Common Core State Standards, the more likely they are to support new
CCSS assessments.Favor/Oppose Implementing CCSS Assessments Among Teachers
Favor
25% Strong
Oppose Favor
14% Strong
Oppose Favor
9% Strong
Oppose
23% Strong
By Seen, Read or Heard of CCSS
Favor
31% Strong
Oppose
16% Strong
14% Strong
15% Strong
Common Core State Standards Assessments
After hearing a brief description
of the CCSS assessments
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Respondents were read 14 different components of the CCSS assessments (as contemplated by the states in the PARCC consortia) and asked to rate each of them on a scale from zero to ten, where zero means it would be a
very bad idea and ten means it would be a very good idea.
The components were read in logical order, so participants were guided step-by-step through the various elements of the assessments.
“I would like to get your reaction to the various components and features of the new tests. Please rate each of the following using a scale from zero to ten, where zero means you think this would be a very bad idea and ten
means you think this would be a very good idea. Of course, you can choose any number from zero to ten.”
Reactions To Elements of The CCSS Assessments
0
1
28
7
65 4
3
910
Goo
d Bad
Common Core State Standards Assessments
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Teachers offer lower scores across the board. However, voters and teachers agree on most of the components they score highest and
lowest.The Components Mean
Results will be available within 1-2 weeks 8.3
1st optional test will be diagnostic 8.3
2nd optional test will require work to be shown 8.0
Tests would be the same across states 7.9
1 required test multiple choice & open-ended 7.9
1 required test would emphasize performance 7.8
Developed with education/test experts and teachers 7.7
Used for placement into entry-level college classes 7.6
2 required tests will be given at the end of the year 7.6
2 required tests would replace current tests 7.5
Measure progress in CCSS in English and Math 7.4
2 required tests will be for accountability purposes 6.9
Test will be given throughout the year 6.5
Students will take all the tests on the computer 6.4
Among VotersThe Components Mean
Results will be available within 1-2 weeks 8.2
Developed with education/test experts and teachers 7.6
1st optional test will be diagnostic 7.5
Tests would be the same across states 7.2
Used for placement into entry-level college classes 7.1
2nd optional test will require work to be shown 7.1
Measure progress in CCSS in English and Math 7.0
1 required test multiple choice & open-ended 6.9
2 required tests would replace current tests 6.7
1 required test would emphasize performance 6.5
2 required tests will be given at the end of the year 6.4
Test will be given throughout the year 5.7
Students will take all the tests on the computer 5.2
2 required tests will be for accountability purposes 3.7
Among Teachers
Common Core State Standards Assessments
18
Common Core State Standards Assessments
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Overall, voters are more supportive of the various elements of the CCSS assessments than teachers. The majority of voters rate 10 or more of the
14 elements as a “good idea” compared to just one-third of teachers.
Number of Elements of CCSS Assessments Rated 8 or better (1-10 scale)
Among Voters Among Teachers
10-14 of 14(Supporters)
5-9 of 14(“Swing Voters”)
5-9 of 14(“Swing Voters”)
10-14 of 14(Opponents)10-14 of 14
(Opponents)
53% 34%
27% 30%
21% 36%
After hearing more about the CCSS assessments, voters offer an even more favorable impression of the tests and teachers hold steady with
their opinions.
Favor
40% Strongly
Oppose Favor
25% Strongly
Oppose
15% Strongly
Favor
47% Strongly
Oppose Favor
22% Strongly
Oppose
16% Strongly
Among Voters Among Teachers
Common Core State Standards Assessments
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The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
As schools begin implementing Common Core State Standards and new assessments, there is majority support from voters and teachers alike.
Importantly, the more teachers know about the CCSS, the more likely they are to support implementing the standards and the new assessments. Teacher knowledge has grown significantly over the last six months.
It is possible that as states and districts move from the CCSS being an idea to reality with implementation, overall support may slip. But how much it slips may be dependent on how strong the implementation plan is – and how well that plan is communicated.
Ongoing and sustained communications is key to maintaining and building lasting support for both teachers and voters.
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Bottom Line
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It is critical to sustain or ramp up efforts to educate teachers—including what the implementation plan is and what teachers can expect. Focus groups with teachers reinforce the importance of good professional development, aligned materials, and their desire to collaborate with colleagues.
Voters also need to become increasingly aware of the CCSS and what it means for students and parents. What will be different? How will the expectations change? What kind of support will be available? Voters, like teachers, also need to understand how these changes fit into the broader reform agenda, why it’s important, and the value of the new standards to our education system and economy.
Achieve is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve
assessments, and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for college, careers and life.
For more information, see www.achieve.org/
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