New Poll Finds Nearly Two-Thirds of Georgia Voters Favor Public Charter Schools
Wednesday, Sept. 15
ATLANTA—Public charter school support remains strong in Georgia. 65%, or more than six out of every ten registered voters in Georgia, hold favorable views of public charter schools. The percentage was even higher among parents of school-aged children, with 83 percent expressing favorable opinions. That’s according to a new public opinion poll conducted on behalf of the Georgia Charter Schools Association in July. Respondents say the most positive aspects of public charter schools include their small size, their ability to offer individualized student support and their accommodation of different learning styles.
The survey also found that 56%, or more than half, of registered voters favor expanding the number of public charter schools in Georgia.
The Public Opinion Strategies poll comes a year-and-a-half after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These findings continue to show there is strong demand and support for public charter schools throughout the state of Georgia,” said Tony Roberts, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “We believe the COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the need for more high-quality public charter schools in our state. These innovative public schools are important to Georgia’s overall public school system because they meet the individual needs of students and successfully prepare them for the future. “
Georgians of all political affiliations approve of public charter schools.
The majority of Georgia Democrats, Republicans and Independents all hold favorable views of public charter schools. According to survey results, 61% of Republicans, 56% of Independents and 55% of Democrats in the survey indicated their support for public charter schools.
A diverse coalition of Georgia voters supports public charter school expansion.
Parents (59%), parents of color (61%), the majority of voters in all political parties (56%), Republicans (62%), Democrats (52%), Independents (51%), urban residents (63%), voters with college degrees (60%), respondents with some college attendance (60%), metro Atlanta residents (57%), Southeast Georgia residents (60%), and Southwest Georgia residents (57%) favor adding more public charter school options to the state.
Parents want public charter school expansion in Georgia.
Parents who took part in the survey were slightly more supportive of expanding the number of public charter schools in Georgia than non-parents. 59% approve of adding more charter schools to Georgia versus 54% of non-parents. Female parents overwhelmingly back the expansion of Georgia charter schools with 62% expressing approval. 56% of Male parents support the addition of more charter schools in the state.
Opposition to public charter schools and their expansion in Georgia is low.
Only 13% of those polled expressed negative views about charter schools, and 21% of respondents were not in favor of charter school expansion. The remaining respondents were unsure whether they support public charter schools or the addition of more charter schools in Georgia.
Methodology: The statewide telephone survey was conducted July 26-29, 2021, with 600 registered Georgia voters. The survey has a margin of error of ±4.00%.
About Georgia Charter Schools Association
The Georgia Charter Schools Association is a nonprofit membership organization for Georgia’s public charter schools and petitioners. GCSA supports, fosters, and advocates for the development of high-quality public charter schools and networks that improve opportunities for Georgia students. We believe every child in Georgia should have equal access to a high-quality, transformative public education.
About Public Opinion Strategies
Public Opinion Strategies is a market research company based in Alexandria, VA specializing in political, corporate and public policy research. Since the company’s founding in 1991, Public Opinion Strategies has completed more than 22,000 research projects and interviewed over 10,000,000 Americans across the United States.
CONTACT: Michelle Wirth
Senior Director of Communications
Georgia Charter Schools Association
mwirth@gacharters.org
470-233-6682
