The K-12 Conundrum: Americans Want More Education Funding, But Not Higher Taxes

Most people believe their public schools need more money. A new survey, however, illustrates just how wide the gap is between wanting more funding and being willing to pay for it. According to the 51st annual PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools, 60 percent of parents and 75 percent of teachers say their community���s schools don't have enough money. But a nearly equal share of those groups would rather see funding cuts elsewhere than raise taxes to pay for more. This dichotomy frustrates public school advocates. In recent years, teachers across the country have gone on strike and protested to highlight stagnant or reduced school funding. In a special section on the topic, last year’s poll showed widespread support among parents for striking teachers. And for the 18th year in a row, Americans this year named lack of funding as the top issue facing schools. Still, direct tax hikes remain largely unpopular. “It really calls into question the extent to which Americans in general will pay out of their own pockets for those things they think are important,” says Joshua Starr, CEO of PDK International, a professional organization for educators. “It boils down to whether we’re willing to give a couple extra bucks to support bread-and-butter issues like schools. That’s not part of the American ethos, and that’s a problem.”