Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Most Americans oppose full school vouchers
Poll: Partial tax credits OK, though
BY ANDREA TORTORA
Gannett News Service
WASHINGTON — Seven of 10 Americans oppose direct and substantial aid to private schools, while 57 percent support such aid when it takes the form of partial tax credits.
The annual Phi Delta Kappa-Gallup Poll released Tuesday finds Americans continue to prefer improving and strengthening public schools — 70 percent — to providing vouchers — 28 percent. Phi Delta Kappa is a professional education fraternity.
Citizens are split in their support of aid to private schools and confused about the options, said Jack Jennings, director of the Center on Education Policy.
This year's poll asked new (16 of 38) and more questions to explore perceptions of alternatives to public education. Support for aid to private schools varies if full payment for tuition or partial payment is proposed; whether it is at public expense or government expense; and whether it is a voucher or tax credit.
The poll of 1,103 adults over 18 was conducted in May and June. For most questions, the margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Some 55 percent oppose letting students and parents choose publicly funded private schools, an increase in opposition from 1998. Some 41 percent favor it.
A larger number (51 percent for, 47 against) support the government paying all or part of such tuition.
Respondents were split, 47 percent for, 48 percent against, on the question of whether all tuition should be paid for by vouchers. There is more support for partial vouchers, 52 percent for, 45 percent against.
Support was voiced for giving full tax credits to parents who send kids to private or parochial schools — 57 percent for, 41 percent against. Partial tax credits were even more popular, 65 percent for, 34 against.
More than three-fourths of Americans, 77 percent to 21 percent, think private schools that receive public funding should be held accountable in the same way public schools are.
And 74 percent think publicly funded private schools should accept students from a wider range of backgrounds.
Public voucher programs now operate in Cleveland, Milwaukee and Florida. The issue of vouchers and tax credits is being debated as several states and Congress continue discussing education reforms.
In Ohio on Tuesday, a federal judge halted Cleveland's voucher program while he considers a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality.
Most public opposition to vouchers comes from the unions. Sandra Feldman, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said this year's poll shows citizen support for public schools.
Tristate smoking, deaths top averages
Hate group targets Anderson
Hundreds of vets' graves overgrown
Kings Island closes second ride
Road work an obstacle to Riverfest
Votruba decries NKU's funding
Judge halts voucher program
Most Americans oppose full school vouchers
What's Your Opinion: Questions of fairness
Chief: Fire response was earlier
Ex-guard beats felony rap involving girl
GET TO IT
Jurisdiction argued in Justin hearing
Ross teens start school on sad note
Storms knock down trees, power lines
Birth control options
Contraceptive for males is still in works
Most common contraceptive methods
Buddhist monks perform for world peace
If you go: 'Mystical Music and Dance of Tibet'
McKechnie working on new show at Playhouse
'Blue's Clues' host very much alive
Agencies doing own pot testing
Bell fighting area-code change
Boone Co. citizens get a say in police study
Deputy city manager no longer 'interim'
Escapee from county jail to do more time
Forest Park paper ends run
Gravelrama ready to roll
Judge to say whether historic building may be torn down
Kenton proposal: Regulate sex-oriented businesses
Ky. GOP gains ground
Marchers protest Ohio death penalty
Mason to double size of park
Mental health clients find pals in program
Middletown mall burden, experts say
Mostly white jury chosen for Miami U. trial
Officer hurt in scrape with teen
Schools opt to build new rather than renovate old
Sewer fight shifts to site test
Six hurt in blast near Germantown
TRISTATE DIGEST
Union Twp. to pay for aerial map
Video seller pleads no contest
Video store is investigated
Warren to fight Deerfield over water, sewer plan
