Recently conducted statewide poll confirms the desire for additional school choices for Texas families. Polling shows new options should be created within Texas’ public education system.
A new statewide poll released by Democrats for Education Reform Texas finds broad-based support for the Texas legislature to create additional school options outside of traditionally zoned ISD campuses. However, results make clear Texans would prefer additional school choices be created within the public education system, meaning “more magnet schools, career academies, and non-profit public charter schools”.
Nearly 80% of Texas voters believe in “Expanding educational choices within the public educational system for families, such as more magnet schools, career academies, and non-profit public charter schools”. Support for additional choices within the public school system is broad-based and popular among supporters of both political parties and across demographic groups.
By a 36% margin, voters prefer Texas lawmakers create additional choices within the public system (more magnet schools, career academies, and non-profit public charter schools) as opposed to using taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition. Preference for additional choices within the public system is especially high among parents (+41%), voters of color (+45%) and independent voters (+40%).
“Voters and families are calling for additional choices outside of their traditional zoned public schools. Texas Legislature has a historic opportunity to pursue policies to expand educational choices within the public school system this session. With a record budget surplus, there is no excuse but to ensure well-funded and accountable public schools with new and innovative public choice options to support every Texas child. Today’s poll results make clear: supporting pro-public school choice policies — including expanding access to magnet schools, career academies and public charter schools — is not only good policy, but good politics,” said Garry Jones, Democrats for Education Reform Texas Executive Director.
Poll memo by Impact Research can be seen here.
The poll was commissioned by DFER TX partner organization Education Reform Now Advocacy and was conducted by the national polling firm, Impact Research. Findings were based on online interview results and a text-to-web survey conducted March 27-30, among 500 likely 2024 general election voters in Texas. The margin of error for the full sample is +/- 4.4%.