Year 2022
n=1002
asterisk (*) indicates less than one-half of one percent and dash indicates zero; numbers don't always total to 100% due to rounding or multiple responses.
1.
Which of these is the MOST important issue facing Idaho today in your view? Is it:
| 46 | The economy |
| 43 | Public education |
| 11 | The environment |
| * | Don’t know |
2.
Which comes closest to your view about Idaho's public school system?
| 9 | It's in very good shape and needs little change |
| 66 | It's OK but it could be a lot better with some changes |
| 23 | There's so much wrong with it that a complete overhaul is necessary |
| 2 | Don’t know |
3A.
Which of these is the most important function of Idaho's public school system in your view? Is it:
| 48 | Preparing students for college or to join the workforce |
| 45 | Developing well-rounded members of society |
| 6 | Providing a safe place for kids to go during the day when parents are at work |
| 1 | Don’t know |
4.
Which comes closer to your view? If Idaho spent more money on its public schools:
| 52 | The money would actually get lost along the way |
| 44 | The money would actually get to the classrooms and improve education |
| 4 | Don’t know |
14.
Students are often given the grades A, B, C, D, and Fail to denote the quality of their work. Suppose the public schools themselves were graded in the same way. What grade would you give the public schools in your community?
| 36 | NET A+B |
| 7 | A |
| 29 | B |
| 40 | C |
| 15 | D |
| 6 | Fail (or F) |
| 2 | Don’t know |
Q18-27
Here are some things the public schools in your community could teach students. Please tell me if each is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, IMPORTANT BUT NOT ESSENTIAL, or NOT TOO IMPORTANT for the public schools in your community to teach students.
18.
Advanced science and math like physics and calculus - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 44 | Absolutely essential |
| 48 | Important but not essential |
| 8 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
19.
Basic reading, writing, and math - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 96 | Absolutely essential |
| 4 | Important but not essential |
| * | Not too important |
| - | Don’t know |
20.
Basic science like biology - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 73 | Absolutely essential |
| 25 | Important but not essential | 2 | Not too important |
| - | Don’t know |
21.
Computers and technology - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 78 | Absolutely essential |
| 20 | Important but not essential |
| 2 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
22.
Critical thinking - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 77 | Absolutely essential |
| 15 | Important but not essential |
| 7 | Not too important |
| 1 | Don’t know |
23.
Farming, agriculture, and forestry - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 35 | Absolutely essential |
| 55 | Important but not essential |
| 10 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
24.
Literature, music, and art - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 45 | Absolutely essential |
| 47 | Important but not essential |
| 8 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
25.
Practical job skills for office or industry - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 61 | Absolutely essential |
| 35 | Important but not essential |
| 3 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
26.
Sports and physical education - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 36 | Absolutely essential |
| 53 | Important but not essential |
| 11 | Not too important |
| - | Don’t know |
27.
U.S. history and civics - is this absolutely essential, important but not essential, or not too important for the public schools in your community to teach students?
| 74 | Absolutely essential |
| 24 | Important but not essential |
| 2 | Not too important |
| * | Don’t know |
28.
Do you think that the public schools in your community should mostly focus on teaching students academic subjects, or do you think it's just as important for them to teach the value of such things as hard work, persistence, and responsibility?
| 24 | Mostly focus on academic subjects |
| 75 | Just as important to teach the value of hard work, persistence, and responsibility |
| 1 | Don’t know |
34.
Do you think that Idaho's public schools should:
| 64 | Teach to the same academic standards as the rest of the country because students need the same basic knowledge wherever they are |
| 33 | Teach to the state's own academic standards because what Idaho's students need to learn is different from the rest of the U.S. |
| 3 | Don’t know |
34D.
Some suggest that before Idaho's students are awarded a high school diploma, they should be required to pass a standardized test to show they have learned what they were supposed to. Do you think this is:
| 61 | Generally a good idea |
| 37 | Generally a bad idea |
| 2 | Don’t know |
34E.
Some suggest that Idaho's public schools should allow experienced leaders from other fields, such as the military, law or business, to become school administrators through an alternative track that would be faster and simpler than traditional certification. Do you think this is:
| 63 | Generally a good idea |
| 34 | Generally a bad idea |
| 3 | Don’t know |
34F.
Some suggest that all public schools in the state should be rated, and the ratings should be publicized. The ratings would be based on multiple indicators, such as student growth, standardized test scores, and graduation rates. Do you think this is:
| 74 | Generally a good idea |
| 25 | Generally a bad idea |
| 1 | Don’t know |
35A.
Currently, Idaho provides funding for HALF-day Kindergarten for all families that want it. Typically, families that want ALL-day Kindergarten pay extra. Do you think Idaho should:
| 58 | Provide funding for ALL-day Kindergarten for all families that want it, regardless of income |
| 15 | Provide funding for ALL-day Kindergarten, but only for low-income families |
| 27 | Or leave things as they are |
| 1 | Don’t know |
35B.
Currently, Idaho does NOT provide funding for Pre-Kindergarten for children who are 3-to-5 years old. Do you think Idaho should:
| 42 | Provide funding for Pre-K for all families that want it, regardless of income |
| 17 | Provide funding for Pre-K, but only for low-income families |
| 40 | Or leave things as they are |
| 1 | Don’t know |
Q37-41
When it comes to each of the following, do you think Idaho should expand, reduce, or leave things as they are?
37.
High school internships and work experience - do you think Idaho should expand, reduce, or leave things as they are?
| 81 | Expand this |
| 1 | Reduce it |
| 16 | Leave things as they are |
| 2 | Don’t know |
39.
Online learning - do you think Idaho should expand, reduce, or leave things as they are?
| 41 | Expand this |
| 18 | Reduce it |
| 40 | Leave things as they are |
| 2 | Don’t know |
41.
Vocational education classes - do you think Idaho should expand, reduce, or leave things as they are?
| 77 | Expand this |
| 1 | Reduce it |
| 20 | Leave things as they are |
| 2 | Don’t know |
41A.
School districts in wealthier communities can generally offer better academic programs and higher teacher salaries than districts in poorer communities. Which comes closer to your view:
| 76 | It is Idaho’s responsibility to make up the difference so that poorer districts can compete with wealthier ones |
| 21 | Inequalities in school funding are an unavoidable part of life |
| 3 | Don’t know |
41C.
The average public school teacher salary in Idaho has gone up by about 17 percent in the past five years. Does this surprise you, or not?
| 30 | Yes, surprises me |
| 70 | No, does not |
| 1 | Don’t know |
41D.
The budget for Idaho's public schools has gone up by about 30 percent in the past five years. Does this surprise you, or not?
| 39 | Yes, surprises me |
| 60 | No, does not |
| 1 | Don’t know |
12.
Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 years old?
| 39 | Yes, parent |
| 61 | No |
42.
As far as you know, is there a charter school in your area, or not?
| 71 | Yes |
| 18 | No |
| 12 | Don’t know |
42A.
(N=697 Yes, charter school in area)
Which do you think generally offers a better education in your area?
| 59 | The charter schools |
| 27 | The regular public schools |
| 3 | (NO DIFFERENCE) |
| 2 | (DEPENDS) |
| 9 | Don’t know |
43.
How much do you know about charter schools - a great deal, quite a bit, only some, very little, or nothing at all?
| 36 | NET A great deal + Quite a bit |
| 10 | A great deal |
| 26 | Quite a bit |
| 35 | Only some |
| 23 | Very little |
| 6 | Nothing at all |
| * | Don’t know |
44.
Charter schools are public schools that have a lot more control over their own budget, staff and curriculum, and are free from many existing regulations. In general, how much do you favor or oppose charter schools?
| 77 | NET Strongly + Somewhat favor |
| 34 | Strongly favor |
| 43 | Somewhat favor |
| 15 | Somewhat oppose |
| 5 | Strongly oppose |
| 3 | Don’t know |
44A.
(N=58 Parent who somewhat or strongly opposes charter schools)
Imagine you decided to change your child's school and a charter school matched what you were looking for.
| 48 | Would you seriously consider it even though it was a charter school |
| 48 | Would the fact that it was a charter school stop you from seriously considering it |
| 4 | Don’t know |
52.
(N=361 Parent of child under 18 years old)
Have any of your children ever attended a:
(Does not total to 100% due to multiple response categories)
| 9 | Private non-religious school |
| 17 | Private religious school |
| 20 | Charter school |
| 66 | Regular public school |
| 13 | Don’t know |
53.
(N=366 Parent of child under 18 years old)
If money were not an issue and you could choose from all of the following options, would you prefer that your child attend a:
| 20 | Private non-religious school |
| 23 | Private religious school |
| 18 | Charter school |
| 37 | Regular public school |
| 2 | Don’t know |
Please tell me if you agree strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly with each of the following statements about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
53A.
Since the pandemic, parents have become more interested in alternatives to regular public schools, like charter schools or homeschooling
| 81 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 16 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 41 | Agree strongly |
| 40 | Agree somewhat |
| 12 | Disagree somewhat |
| 4 | Disagree strongly |
| 3 | Don’t know |
53B.
Since the pandemic, parents have become more aware of how much they rely on the schools to make their family's day-to-day lives possible
| 89 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 11 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 59 | Agree strongly |
| 30 | Agree somewhat |
| 7 | Disagree somewhat |
| 3 | Disagree strongly |
| 1 | Don’t know |
53C.
The pandemic has taken a serious toll on the mental health of Idaho's children
| 83 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 16 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 53 | Agree strongly |
| 30 | Agree somewhat |
| 13 | Disagree somewhat |
| 4 | Disagree strongly |
| 1 | Don’t know |
53D.
I worry that the pandemic has dealt a serious set-back to children's social skills and development
| 80 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 20 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 52 | Agree strongly |
| 28 | Agree somewhat |
| 14 | Disagree somewhat |
| 6 | Disagree strongly |
| * | Don’t know |
53E.
Because of the pandemic, I worry that too many students have lost ground academically and will struggle to catch up
| 83 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 17 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 49 | Agree strongly |
| 34 | Agree somewhat |
| 13 | Disagree somewhat |
| 4 | Disagree strongly |
| 1 | Don’t know |
53F.
(N=357 Parent of child under 18 years old)
Academic expectations and student learning have declined at my child's school since the pandemic
| 44 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 50 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 19 | Agree strongly |
| 26 | Agree somewhat |
| 23 | Disagree somewhat |
| 27 | Disagree strongly |
| 3 | (No school age children) |
| 3 | Don’t know |
53G.
(N=359 Parent of child under 18 years old)
I'm concerned about the impact the pandemic has had on my child's social skills and development
| 45 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 54 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 18 | Agree strongly |
| 27 | Agree somewhat |
| 23 | Disagree somewhat |
| 31 | Disagree strongly |
| 1 | (No school age children) |
| * | Don’t know |
53H.
(N=360 Parent of child under 18 years old)
I'm concerned that my child has lost ground academically because of the pandemic
| 42 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 56 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 18 | Agree strongly |
| 24 | Agree somewhat |
| 22 | Disagree somewhat |
| 34 | Disagree strongly |
| 1 | (No school age children) |
| * | Don’t know |
53I.
(N=359 Parent of child under 18 years old)
I worry about the impact the pandemic has had on my child's mental health
| 47 | NET Agree strongly + Somewhat |
| 53 | NET Disagree strongly + Somewhat |
| 22 | Agree strongly |
| 25 | Agree somewhat |
| 19 | Disagree somewhat |
| 34 | Disagree strongly |
| - | (No school age children) |
| * | Don’t know |
54A.
(N=368 Parent of child under 18 years old)
Do you have a child who has an Individualized Education Program or Plan, also known as an I-E-P, or not?
| 17 | Yes |
| 82 | No |
| 2 | Don't know |
AGE
| 13 | 18 to 24 |
| 18 | 25 to 34 |
| 17 | 35 to 44 |
| 19 | 45 to 54 |
| 16 | 55 to 64 |
| 10 | 65 to 74 |
| 7 | 75 or older |
GENDER
| 49 | Male |
| 51 | Female |
EDUCATION
| 3 | Less than high school |
| 12 | High school graduate |
| 34 | Some college or trade school, no degree |
| 13 | Associate's degree/2 year degree |
| 25 | Bachelor's degree/4 year degree |
| 14 | Graduate degree |
RACE/ETHNICITY (does not total to 100% due to multiple responses)
| 85 | White |
| 13 | Hispanic |
| 3 | Native American or Pacific Islander |
| 1 | Black or African American |
| 1 | Asian |
INCOME
| 12 | Under $25,000 |
| 18 | $25,000 to less than $45,000 |
| 24 | $45,000 to less than $75,000 |
| 19 | $75,000 to less than $100,000 |
| 27 | $100,000 or more |
URBANICITY (self-reported)
| 26 | Urban or city |
| 20 | Suburban |
| 30 | A small town |
| 25 | Rural |
REGION (from zip code)
| 20 | North |
| 23 | East |
| 46 | Southwest |
| 11 | South Central |