Post-Election Voter Survey Finds Broad Support for U.S. Chamber's Education Reform Agenda

Teacher Evaluations & Quality Pre-School Programs Tops Survey

WASHINGTON, DC—A high majority of voters are aligned with the American business community's education reform agenda, according to an independent post-election poll by the Lombardo Consulting Group, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Higher standards and accountability for teachers and the need to provide quality pre-school programs were viewed the most important among education reform.

"We have said over and over again that unless America turns education around, it risks its place as an economic superpower and its identity as a striving, middle-class democracy," said Arthur Rothkopf, Senior Vice President at the Chamber. "This data overwhelmingly shows that Americans agree with the business community's commitment to reforms that best prepare students to compete in the 21st Century."

The independent poll found 83% of registered voters agree "America needs to change the way it trains, pays, and evaluates teachers." Similarly, there is universal agreement (92%) among voters that "school systems [should] have the ability to terminate ineffective teachers." The survey also found that 82% of voters think "all children should have the option to attend a high-quality pre-school program so that they can enter kindergarten ready to learn." With respect to the No Child Left Behind Act, more than half (55%) of voters think the legislation needs to be strengthened and reauthorized.

"America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines as the rest of the world races ahead of us in the education arena," added Rothkopf. "The business community is committed to working with all stakeholders on reforming our education system. The stakes are too high for business and our economy if schools fail."

The national telephone survey of 1,000 registered voters was fielded on November 13-17, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.1%.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce—the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region—believes that improving the performance of the K-12 education system in the United States is necessary to provide a strong foundation for both U.S. competitiveness and for individuals to succeed in our rapidly changing world. We are committed to working with all stakeholders on this essential task.

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