Atlanta, GA – A new statewide poll released this week from McLaughlin & Associates shows that 72% of Georgia voters support innovative, self-governing, and highly accountable charter public schools. African-American voters are even more likely to support charters (74%) than white voters (70%). The poll was commissioned by the American Federation for Children.
Voters also agreed that children in public charter schools should receive equal funding for their education. When learning that children attending charter public schools in Georgia are often funded at lower levels than children attending traditional public schools in the same district, support for equal funding increased substantially.
Tony Roberts, President & CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association said the poll results did not surprise him. “We have long known that African-American support for more charter schools tipped the scales in passing the Charter Schools Amendment back in 2012. Three years later, as voters of all parties and all races learn more about charter schools, it’s wonderful to see growing enthusiasm for charters to serve students and communities across our state,” Roberts said.
Bottom line: Even in a polarized political landscape, Georgians by an overwhelming majority – 72% – favor independent, self-governing and highly accountable public charter schools. As the 2015 legislative session gets underway, the Georgia Charter Schools Association urges lawmakers to be mindful of voters’ desire to increase public school options in K-12 education.
