FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Education a Core Value for Delaware Voters

Delawareans believe every child deserves a quality education,
but 60% think Delaware schools haven’t improved in the last five years

Delaware voters strongly believe that every child has a right to a quality public education, according to a recent survey of likely voters conducted for Education Voters of Delaware. Support for public education is a deeply held core value for Delaware voters, parents and non-parents alike across the state.

Sixty percent of those surveyed think Delaware schools have failed to improve over the last five years. Only 21 percent believe Delaware schools have improved over that time, while 29 percent believe our public schools have gotten worse. Less than a third (31 percent) believe they stayed about the same.

Eighty percent of poll respondents would like to see public leaders in the state, specifically the Governor and state legislators, pay more attention to improving public education. This holds true across all regions of the state and across all demographic and political groups, with at least seven out of ten voters across groups expressing this sentiment.

“This survey revealed a universal desire in Delaware for high quality public schools that was extraordinary,” Education Voters of Delaware Executive Director Doug Gramiak said. “Delawareans want the children in this state to have access to high quality public schools and they’re willing to do a lot to make it happen, including paying more taxes.”

Celinda Lake of Lake Research Partners, whose firm conducted the survey, said, “Voters recognize the need to do better for children and they reject the status quo when it comes to education. This reaches the level of core values, not just opinions for Delaware voters.” There is near unanimous agreement for the following statements:

Even in these tough times, Delaware voters would be willing to increase their taxes to improve public education in the state. A majority of voters prove willing to increase their taxes to improve public education in Delaware (59 percent willing, 18 percent very willing), with parents slightly more willing to increase their taxes (68 percent, 23 percent). However, majorities of voters across all demographic and political sub-groups said they were willing to increase their taxes, including 66 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of independents, 53 percent of Republicans, and 55 percent of seniors.

Additionally, voters see the connection between quality public education and the health of our communities and the competitiveness of the state’s workforce. Voters agree that strong public schools maintain property values and the strength and quality of our communities (91 percent agree, 77 percent strongly). They also agree that strong public schools support the state’s economy by attracting businesses and people who want to live here (83 percent, 59 percent strongly).

“Voters believe the health of our communities and the global competitiveness of Delaware’s workforce depend on our capacity to provide children with a quality public education,” Gramiak said. “But many voters in Delaware clearly think our public schools could be more effective in preparing students with the skills they will need to succeed in the 21st century.”

Voters prove willing to take action to improve education in Delaware, whether it is voting for candidates who are committed to funding education, voting for increases in education funding, or contacting elected officials.

Education Voters of Delaware is nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is building a citizens’ campaign to improve public education in Delaware. Ed Voters believes every child in Delaware should have access to a quality education no matter where they live.