New Poll Show D.C. Voters Support Public Charter Schools, Targeted Investments for At-Risk Students

Press Releases

December 3, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 3, 2019)—A new poll released today by Education Reform Now DC found strong support among Washington, D.C., voters for public charter schools and for policies that would directly benefit at-risk students. 

The poll found that among voters surveyed: 

  • A majority of DC voters (59%) have a favorable view of public charter schools, while just 27% view them unfavorably. 
  • Nearly two in three of DC voters (63%) support increasing the number of public charter schools in the city, as long as there are stricter accountability measures in place. 67% of voters would like to see a public charter school open in their neighborhood. 
  • 60% of voters have a favorable view of DC public schools, with voters saying the quality of schools are improving by a 42-point margin. 
  • An overwhelming majority of voters support giving more funding for at-risk students (82%), allowing D.C. schools to set aside a certain number of seats for at-risk students (78%), and giving preference to at-risk students in the My School DC Lottery (66%).

“These results make clear that reforms are working and there has been steady improvement and achievement over the past several years,” said Jess Giles, Deputy Director of Education Reform Now DC. “As we look to the next decade of reforms, we must ensure this progress is equally experienced across the city, especially for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.”

You can view results from the poll here

The poll was conducted by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research between Nov. 14-19, 2019, and surveyed 700 likely 2020 general election voters in Washington, D.C

Education Reform Now DC is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education in Washington, D.C., particularly for low-income students and students of color. It is a chapter of the national organization, Education Reform Now.