Poll: Young voters, young parents back charter schools amendment
Mark Rountree of the locally based Landmark Communications has a new poll for Channel 2 Action News that shows two results you might have expected: Mitt Romney is almost certain to win Georgia, and the charter schools amendment is heading for a very close finish.
There are a number of interesting numbers within the poll, however, and the one I find most intriguing is this one about the charter schools amendment (as posted at Peach Pundit):
There is a stark difference in levels of support based on the age of the voter. Younger voters are strongly supportive of the Amendment (57-32% among those aged 18-35), while older voters slightly oppose the Amendment (40-41% in opposition among those over age 64).
People aged 18-35, of course, largely represent two groups: Those who are most recently graduated from high school, and those with young children either already in school or about to enter school. (For instance, this newly minted 34-year-old — my birthday was Saturday; and, yes, the Bulldogs gave me the only present I wanted — has a son who’s two autumns away from starting school and an infant.) It would also include teachers in the first half of their careers.
The poll doesn’t break down that result further — i.e., whether 18- to -35-year-old parents who aren’t teachers view the amendment differently than teachers of the same age, whether they’re parents or not. But I think it speaks volumes that this age group so strongly supports the idea that we need to try some new things when it comes to public education in this state.
– By Kyle Wingfield
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
177 comments Add your comment
carlosgvv
October 29th, 2012
4:50 pm
Kyle – 4:24
Because, some of the students would be from non-fundamentalist homes and the Republicans would get much unwanted publicity from outraged parents. On the other hand, a fundamentalist charter school would be filled with 100% of kids from right-wing Christian homes.
Class of '98
October 29th, 2012
4:51 pm
Kyle, I love you dude, but columns about Charter schools are about as exciting as a three day-old tuna fish sandwich.
BORRRRRRRINGGGGGGGG
JF McNamara
October 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
After the Republicans get this pushed through, I’m immediately buying stock in “for profit” schooling. Our kids will probably be collectively dumber, but at least I’ll make some coin off of it along with our state officials.
Think about it. We’re going to create a for profit institution that is going to make itself a necessity paid for with state funds. We’ve seen how for profit colleges take advantage of student loans, so we can expect the same in our state. Kindergarten is $250 a week, and that is also a point of reference on where we can expect pricing. We’re going to get gouged like we do with defense contractors and oil companies under the guise of “competition”.
It’s a no lose scenario for the companies, and we’re probably going to live to regret it.
Kyle Wingfield
October 29th, 2012
4:54 pm
carlosgvv @ 4:50: I forgot; with you, there’s always another layer to the conspiracy.
Would you care to point out a single “fundamentalist charter school” anywhere in the entire country? Or do you think we have a particularly entrepreneurial kind of fundamentalism here in Georgia?
Kyle Wingfield
October 29th, 2012
4:57 pm
JF @ 4:52: There is a world of difference between for-profit colleges filled with kids who get federal loans without any kind of scrutiny as to how they’ll be used, and charter schools that contract with private companies to provide some of their administrative services. For more, see my 4:22.
But just out of curiosity: How do you think for-profit companies could be any worse at educating students in the parts of our state with the lowest-performing schools?
Matz
October 29th, 2012
5:08 pm
I’m sorry, but I’m not okay with the idea of charter schools “outperforming” public schools. ALL the schools should perform in such a way as to meet the educational needs of the communities in which they operate. Quality public education is what made “the American dream” possible for generations of Americans. Whether they were the children of immigrants who came here with nothing and spoke no English, or descendants of slaves dragged here against their will and held in both bondage and poverty, or just kids of hard-working, blue-collar parents who tried to do just a little bit better than mon & dad — and succeeded, the common factor is public education.
To sell it out for profit is to sell a piece of our collective national soul. We should invest more in education, not less, and ALL the schools should have the best we can provide, not have their budgets cut year after year, while teachers are berated and told to “do more with less.” For-profit segregation is not the answer.
JDW
October 29th, 2012
5:36 pm
@Kyle…”Where”
Exactly, given the Grover Norquist addled brains that dominate around here every dollar that goes to new unneeded charters is a dollar stolen from your local school.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 29th, 2012
5:40 pm
Matz, your dream of equality of output vs. equality of opportunity is just that – a dream.
“We should invest more in education, not less”
We have . It doesn’t work.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
5:43 pm
The young want school choice. No doubt about it, demographics will put an end to the government school monopoly, if nothing else does!
Ah, the irony
October 29th, 2012
5:46 pm
Well clearly, there ARE some problems with charter school oversight. And anyone who thinks Georgia would do any better a job than Florida is delusional.
http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/10/29/failing-charter-finally-closes-and-principal-collects-a-cool-half-million-why-oversight-ought-to-be-important/?cxntfid=blogs_get_schooled_blog
JDW
October 29th, 2012
5:46 pm
@Kyle…”There is a world of difference between for-profit colleges filled with kids who get federal loans without any kind of scrutiny as to how they’ll be used, and charter schools that contract with private companies to provide some of their administrative services”
Really? Somebody better tell Florida…btw did you catch K12’s recent 10k? If this passes I might have to buy stock and profit from our mistake.
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/marketplacek12/2012/09/report_florida_investigating_k12_inc_for_using_non-certified_teachers.html
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
5:46 pm
To sell it out for profit is to sell a piece of our collective national soul.
————————
It was “sold out for profit” (along with other government functions) when government workers were allowed to unionize. Now, our schools aren’t places for learning, they’re jobs programs for teachers, administrators, and union bosses.
Hey Hey Hey
October 29th, 2012
5:51 pm
Lil Barry
GA has teacher’s unions?
JDW
October 29th, 2012
5:52 pm
@kyle…you don’t think the fact that the students, minority or not, that transferred to Ivy had the most active parents made any impact at all…do you…
You are dressing up the same truths…more involvement equals better performance. Of course now the local school has less involvement since they went to Ivy.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
5:55 pm
You’re aware that there are states other than Georgia, Hey?
Or did you go to public schools? You don’t seem to be quite capable of thinking outside your little bubble.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
5:56 pm
Typical libtard thinking–sacrifice your child’s education so that the takers’ kids won’t suffer.
Hey Hey Hey
October 29th, 2012
5:57 pm
Lil Barry
Is the article about the state of the GA or other states?
If you have ADD and can not concentrate on the subject at hand, please seek help.
No need to be a smart behind and act like some alpha……… wannabe.
Beta Barry
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
6:03 pm
Regardless of the article’s topic, my post was about education in general.
And Georgia’s “professional associations” are de facto unions, with the same destructive effects as the NEA and AFT. They’re about maintaining their members outsized pay and gold-plated benefits packages and the kids and taxpayers be damned.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 29th, 2012
6:07 pm
“Is the article about the state of the GA or other states?”
Doesn’t matter. You don’t exclude data from your analysis just because it comes from other states.
Aquagirl
October 29th, 2012
6:18 pm
I’m sorry, but I’m not okay with the idea of charter schools “outperforming” public schools. ALL the schools should perform in such a way as to meet the educational needs of the communities in which they operate.
I think Kyle is right, those 18 to 35 year olds are concerned about building their children a little life raft and screw the other kids left behind in under performing schools.
Of course if you oppose Kyle’s favored solution you’re not for the chilllldren. Watching fake conservatives call for more money and more big government while covering their @$$es with the “you hate children!” card is beyond gross.
If you’re going to abandon logic and reason at least admit you’re being a loon. Most people are extremely emotionally invested in their children and will bend, break, and trample rules if they think something important is at stake. That’s normal and nothing to be ashamed of, people who don’t prioritize their own children above all else are nuts. The problem here is the Kyles of the world pretending their motivation is lofty and sensible. It’s not. It’s about their fears for THEIR child, period. Point out this might screw over other kids and you’ll get endless harrumphing and all sorts of excuses.
People who vote with their fee-fees are dangerous. There’s plenty of well-deserved derision at the college age hopey-changy voters four years ago but our fake conservatives are doing the very same thing. And most of them don’t even have the excuse they’re young and stupid. If you’re a 50 year old voting for this bundle of emotional idiocy you’re just plain gullible.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
6:24 pm
Aren’t libtard loons supposed to be for “choice” and “access”?
Not when it might affect union dues collections, apparently.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
6:25 pm
ALL the schools should perform in such a way as to meet the educational needs of the communities in which they operate.
——————–
And yet, they don’t. Money isn’t the issue–we spend more per student than many other countries that are kicking our butt. The issue is the union terrorists running the schools for their own profit.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 29th, 2012
6:32 pm
Aquagirl, just pointing out that your 6:18 was nothing but invective and insults, with no fact-based objections at all.
Are you sure you’re not AmVet?
Randy Ayn
October 29th, 2012
6:35 pm
Why should we pour more money into public schools, when we can pour more money into public charter schools and have, where big companies can siphon off tax dollars? It’s just a shame they won’t share their secret to providing a superior education so that all schools could use it. It’s also a shame that their test scores, when controlled for selecting students, don’t show that they do a better job.; but, at least some connected people might get some high paying jobs out of the deal (no Deal pun intended).
cc
October 29th, 2012
6:45 pm
Isn’t it time for Mary Elizabeth to chime in?
adam smith's invisible hand
October 29th, 2012
6:51 pm
Well, of course I’m sure the for-profit Edison Learning Inc., the for-profit National Heritage Acadamies, the for-profit Charter Schools USA and the massive on-line education company, K12 – who are the major supporters of this amendment – have our childrens’ best interest at heart. It’s not about the $. It’s just that they’re so public spirited.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
6:59 pm
If the for-profits can get better results for the same or less spending per pupil, what’s the argument against them?
And if they don’t, they can be fired and a better-performing competitor brought in.
Don’t fear change.
Hillbilly D
October 29th, 2012
7:00 pm
I’m an old fart and I get to vote too, same as the youngster.
yuzeyurbrane
October 29th, 2012
7:02 pm
Kyle, are you the press flack for the pro-Amendment group? And why? I am pleased you disclosed your conflict of interest—namely, you have a young one who will be going to school in a couple of years. Let me guess–you can’t afford private school tuition on your grand AJC salary but you want the public to pay for charter school for your child? All parents want that private school advantage for their children so I am not surprised at your poll numbers although I think most we will be disappointed with what they get. And why didn’t you mention huge $1 million plus most recent fundraising bonanza for pro-Amendment groups, mostly from out of state for-profit education industry companies in your last article against anti-Amendment fundraising? Are you selling your usual pro-good govt. views for self-interest? Tell me it isn’t so Joe.
rwcole
October 29th, 2012
7:26 pm
Kyle is for smaller, less intrusive government that gives more power to the people, except for when he isn’t. Typical modern conservatism.
Hey Hey Hey
October 29th, 2012
7:40 pm
“Doesn’t matter. You don’t exclude data from your analysis just because it comes from other states.”
http://www.peachpundit.com/2012/10/26/new-polling-results-on-presidential-race-and-charter-schools/
What analysis do you speak of? The poll was done in GA and it was relating to the charter amendment here in GA.
So yes, one would exclude data from other states in regards to the article Kyle has posted and the poll that was taken.
Thanks for your response.
Hey Hey Hey
October 29th, 2012
7:41 pm
“And Georgia’s “professional associations” are de facto unions, with the same destructive effects as the NEA and AFT.”
Wrong. But nice try.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 29th, 2012
7:44 pm
The Irish singer Bono and co-founder of ONE, a campaigning group that fights poverty and disease in Africa, said it had been “a humbling thing for me” to realize the importance of capitalism and entrepreneurialism in philanthropy, particularly as someone who “got into this as a righteous anger activist with all the cliches.”
And here’s to hoping a few more of the clueless will see the light.
td
October 29th, 2012
7:47 pm
Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
“This is an appeals board – nothing more, nothing less. Hardly the term “infrastructure would be used for.”
Sorry my friend but you are dead wrong with this statement. This commission on its own accord can set up state sponsored charter schools over district lines. Please go read the enabling legislation passed last Jan.
mike
October 29th, 2012
7:49 pm
If you liked T-SPLOST, you’ll love Charter Schools. If you want to hand state crony miscreants a giant money machine, you’ll love Charter Schools. If you want decisions about your child’s education made by a state bureaucrat, instead of your local school board, you’ll love Charter Schools. If you want your property taxes or your rent to go up to cover the money that will be diverted to private Christian schools for the rich, then you’ll love Charter Schools. If you want to create an even greater boondoggle than T-SLOST, then your love Charter Schools. Really, Kyle, you have beat this subject to death. BTW, can you guess which way I’m going to vote on this issue? I thought so.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
October 29th, 2012
7:51 pm
Economist Timur Kuran coined the term to explain why totalitarian regimes usually collapse suddenly. A preference cascade happens when people discover millions of others share their doubts about the Great Leader. Massive media bias has made the term applicable here, Mr. Reynolds said. The Barack Obama that Americans saw in the debates bears little resemblance to the heroic figure portrayed by the news media.
But he’ll still have his morons.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
8:03 pm
rwcole: Kyle is for smaller, less intrusive government that gives more power to the people, except for when he isn’t
———————————–
Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, rwcole. Where’s that famous libtard appreciation for nuance?
mark.
October 29th, 2012
8:12 pm
I dont think private industry can fix the societial ills. Nor can public education. If they are going to take students with special needs, same percentage of minorities as the local zip code schools, then I am all for it. But the $80000/year student is not what the charter companies have in mind. But if they want mine money, they get them too. Good luck charter school usa, get some good special ed laws, you get them too!!
cc
October 29th, 2012
8:16 pm
“you’ll love Charter Schools.”
I’m sure that I will, and have already voted YES on Amendment 1.
“If you want decisions about your child’s education made by a state bureaucrat, instead of your local school board”
“a state bureaucrat”? Only one person? I don’t think that is the case. Local school boards are notorious for following the lead of the government indoctrination centers’ administrators and teachers. Many of them become merely an extension of that government entity, which partially explains why these government indoctrination centers do such a miserable job for the most part.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
8:18 pm
Yes, let us celebrate the bringing down of the brightest and hardest working by the “special ed” student, most of which are merely poorly behaved punks.
Archibald Leach
October 29th, 2012
8:19 pm
Well, this young voter will be voting NO to amendment 1. The local communities already have a way to create charter schools. If you dont like what your local school board is doing, then vote them out. Georgia is one of the most corrupt states in America. We dont need another bureaucracy
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
8:23 pm
Arch, you may be young, but your thinking is old and outdated.
JamVet
October 29th, 2012
8:33 pm
Kyle, I applaud your tepid attempts at selling this claptrap to the Republirubes here, but my goodness man, look at these people that make up your “constituency” here in Georgia.
It is hopeless.
And though the morons in Cobb were forced to take those gawdawful embarrassing stickers out of those public school science books, they are still fighting the Scope Monkey Trial here for gawdsakes!
Darwin is a nobody and man-induced climate change is a vast liberal conspiracy that only you fake conservatives and the North Koreans have right.
Truly hopeless…
bluecoat
October 29th, 2012
8:33 pm
Private run correctional/prisons/jails.Why not schools?
mike
October 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
bluecoat: “Why not schools?”
Children aren’t prisoners. Neither are their parents.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
8:37 pm
Who’s running Apple? The government?
@@
October 29th, 2012
8:38 pm
I hope, after the election, they break it down by counties. I’d be curious to see which way Clayton County’s voters go.`
Cutty
October 29th, 2012
8:39 pm
Young voters, young parents….. Just the type of voters republicans dislike. But when you need ‘em for this scam………
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
October 29th, 2012
8:39 pm
Clayton County must be about 80% “special ed”.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
October 29th, 2012
8:41 pm
“Children aren’t prisoners. Neither are their parents.”
Yes they are. They’re trapped in a failed public education system that keeps getting worse.