A review of surveys finds Americans want schools to refocus on teaching and learning No images? Click here Education Next logo THE YEAR IN PUBLIC OPINION ON U.S. K–12 EDUCATION POLICY A review of surveys finds Americans want schools to refocus on teaching and learning Amid the ongoing debates about K–12 education—from teaching about race to school choice and tech in classrooms—what do Americans truly want for their schools? In a new article for Education Next, David Houston dives into a year's worth of top-tier surveys to answer that question. His findings reveal something unexpected: Americans want schools to get back to basics—teaching, learning, and safety. “There are real differences in how Americans view the roles and responsibilities of schools in our large, diverse, and divided society,” Houston writes. Beyond the hot-button issues, surveys reveal a public “less concerned about these debates than about the nuts and bolts of teaching and learning.” Across surveys by Pew Research Center, Gallup, and more, the focus returns to essentials like quality teachers, solid curricula, and a safe environment for students to learn and grow. “The way back to those grand aspirations,” Houston writes, “runs through a renewed focus on issues such as student safety, attracting and retaining good teachers, high-quality curriculum, and school spending rather than the many ancillary debates that have come to dominate media coverage.” Keep reading ABOUT EDUCATION NEXT Education Next is a scholarly journal committed to careful examination of evidence relating to school reform, published by the Program on Education Policy and Governance at the Harvard Kennedy School. For more information, please visit educationnext.org. TwitterLinkedInFacebook Program on Education Policy and Governance Harvard Kennedy School 79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone (877) 476-5354 Fax (617) 496-1507 You’re receiving this because you subscribed from our website   |