Today PEF released a poll about Patersonians attitudes about education. Keep in mind that the poll doesn't tell us about "facts", it tells us people's opinions. It also doesn't tell us why anything happens, or what we should do about it. That's why we need your help. We've invited you and our most active e-activists to tell us what this poll makes you think about, and what you think we all need to do now. Some findings are on the right, the poll is online here. Please share your thoughts below!
To kick it off, here are some questions that have come up:
Why do Latinos say they are less involved? What should we do about that? Why are African Americans more critical?
Why do people think businesses and civic groups aren't involved? Is is just that we don't know what they're doing? Or do we need to get more active?
People say that they think the schools invite parents to participate, but that parents don't participate enough. Does that match with your experience? What can we do to get parents involved?
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Poll Findings
* Overall, Patersonians strongly feel that schools treat people of different races, genders and incomes equally. They feel strongly but less so that special education and English as a Second Language (ESL) students are treated fairly. The ratings drop some on ESL because many African Americans say they “don't know” but Latinos say that ESL students are treated fairly.
*African Americans tend to be the most critical of public schools and the community. They say they discuss schools more often than other adults and are more involved than other adults, so their familiarity breeds more disappointment.
* Adults here have a lot on their minds. Public schools are a priority, but they are cross-pressured to prioritize education, crime, the economy, and health care.
*Latino/as tend to be more positive even though they say they are less involved in public schools. They say they talk about public schools less often than others and while they say the community takes responsibility for schools, they are the least likely to say they personally have done something. Older Latinos are the most positive while younger Latinos tend to be more critical.
* 65% of the Latinos polled answered the phone in Spanish and pollsters continued the conversation in Spanish.
* People think that schools encourage parents to participate, but they think that parents don't participate enough.
* People say we think youth is an asset, but we don't give them any say in school decision making, and we're not teaching them the skills they need to be involved.
* Patersonians rate businesses and civic groups as the least involved, many say they 'don't know'. Nationwide 60-70% people say that local businesses are involved compared to 46% in Paterson. They rate Colleges and Universities & Churches as highly involved.
* Most people polled nationwide say they their local schools are improving, but they are critical about schools nationally. Patersonians see room for improvement both locally and nationwide.
*African Americans tend to be the most critical of public schools and the community. They say they discuss schools more often than other adults and are more involved than other adults, so their familiarity breeds more disappointment.
* Adults here have a lot on their minds. Public schools are a priority, but they are cross-pressured to prioritize education, crime, the economy, and health care.
*Latino/as tend to be more positive even though they say they are less involved in public schools. They say they talk about public schools less often than others and while they say the community takes responsibility for schools, they are the least likely to say they personally have done something. Older Latinos are the most positive while younger Latinos tend to be more critical.
* 65% of the Latinos polled answered the phone in Spanish and pollsters continued the conversation in Spanish.
* People think that schools encourage parents to participate, but they think that parents don't participate enough.
* People say we think youth is an asset, but we don't give them any say in school decision making, and we're not teaching them the skills they need to be involved.
* Patersonians rate businesses and civic groups as the least involved, many say they 'don't know'. Nationwide 60-70% people say that local businesses are involved compared to 46% in Paterson. They rate Colleges and Universities & Churches as highly involved.
* Most people polled nationwide say they their local schools are improving, but they are critical about schools nationally. Patersonians see room for improvement both locally and nationwide.
3 comments:
Latinos say they're getting less information about education, but they're the majority in the schools. What do we have to do to get info out to people who are more comfortable in Spanish? Who's job is it? What happens if we only put information out in English?
I thought the poll was very interesting. I believe that parents do want to get involved and the most hinderance they have is who meets them at the front door. I don't believe that the schools are as parent friendly as they say they are. It called partnership.
This is really a call to action for all segments of the Paterson population. Action not simply voicing complaints/concerns. The question to be asked is what are you doing to make things better? Communication, whether it is the involvement of businesses in some of our schools or more specific issues relative to the schools needs further emphasis. The fact that Latino participants often get their information mainly from the Latino press, whether it is from the Latino talk shows, programs or other venues, means that some focus needs to be placed there. The perception of lack of student preparedness to engage in civic discourse is troubling.
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