By TARA HETTINGER, Evening News
Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com
Though the economy may be stealing headlines, Hoosiers say it is education that is the most important issue in Indiana, according to a newly released survey.
The sixth annual Public Opinion Survey on K-12 Education in Indiana - conducted by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy at Indiana University - showed that respondents ranked education ahead of public safety, health care and more.
"I think that's good, because I think it tells us that the public is speaking out and saying that public education is very important and very important for the future of our state and our country," said Steve Fisher, superintendent of Clarksville Community Schools Corp. "I think that's very important that in this time of such a harsh economy that people can still look at education and say how important it is."
The survey asked 26 questions over seven categories, including school quality, school funding, consolidation of school districts and more.
Consolidation
The public remains divided on school consolidation, something Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is recommending the Legislature adopt from a 2007 Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform.
Last month, Daniels recommended school districts reorganize to achieve a minimum student population of 1,000. The same percentage as 2007, 49 percent, agreed consolidation would save tax money. Just 45 percent agreed to some extent that consolidation would enhance student achievement.
However, when asked if they would support consolidation in their community, 66 percent of respondents said no.
"Whereas some see it as a possibility to enrich curriculum and possibly save tax dollars, they're just not convinced that it's really going to produce higher academic outcomes for students, or be something they'd desire locally," said Terry Spradlin, co-author of the survey.
Fisher said he believes he understands how those people feel.
"In most areas of school districts of 1,000 or less, most of those schools are hubs of those local communities and nobody wants to see them lose control of their school population," Fisher said, adding that consolidation would allow the smaller of the two districts to hold just a few seats on the school board.
Clarksville schools had fallen into the group that Daniels originally recommended to consolidate because of its enrollment of 1,385, according to the Indiana Department of Education. However, Daniels lowered his initial figure to 1,000, leaving Clarksville in the clear.
"I think there's a lot of research that needs to be done," Fisher said on the effects of consolidation on student achievement. "I'm not for consolidation ... but I think if it saves money and they can show us that it saves money and improves student achievement, then I definitely think there's merit in looking into it."
School funding
Just as the state Legislature shifted the funding of schools away from property taxes in 2008, a larger percentage indicated school funding was not enough to meet student learning needs, with 64 percent, compared to 59 percent in 2007.
Dennis Brooks, superintendent at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp., said more money is needed for a myriad of reasons.
He said that's where the New Albany-Floyd County Education Foundation comes in. That group has helped raise funds to pay for full-day kindergarten.
Recently, Daniels announced that his proposed two-year budget does not include fully funding the full-day kindergarten program this fall, as previously expected by schools. Also, funding in general for schools remained about the same as before.
Brooks said because of that, the foundation will have to intensify efforts.
"If that's all we can expect because of the economy, then we want to get this heightened sense of importance out there to not forget how important funding is [to schools]," Brooks said.
School quality
Overall, Hoosiers indicated they are a little more positive generally about Indiana's school quality, with 54 percent indicating public schools are excellent or good, up from 50 percent in 2007. Once again, respondents view schools locally even more favorably, with 63 percent indicating their schools are excellent or good.
Fisher said his corporation works hard to not only do great things for kids, but also make sure the public knows about its efforts.
"I think communication with the public is very important," Fisher said. "I think keeping your Web site up to date and getting out into the community and asking for help when it's needed. Also, keeping them informed, even when it's negative [news]."
Brooks said communication also is key to NAFC.
"We like to think that even though we are a large district, that we have a small-town approach," he said. "I think ... people feel that we care about them and we communicate with them. Sometimes our answer is unpleasant ... but it's still an answer."
Brooks said he also strives to hire the best teachers, which is one of the most important facets of creating a positive student outcome.
Hearing about the additional public backing, Brooks said it makes him want to work harder.
"When we hear that the public is supporting us at a higher level, that challenges us to do a better," Brooks said. "We know the public expects more and we're going to try our best to provide more."
More Survey Results
• A majority of Hoosiers support Gov. Mitch Daniels' recommendation that school board elections move from the May primaries to the November general election (65 percent indicated they either strongly supported or supported the proposal).
• A slight majority of Hoosiers (58 percent) said the state should take over and manage persistently failing schools in their community.
• Fifty-three percent of residents indicated there should be more effort to assist students in low performing schools, rather than to provide parental choice to transfer to another public school or to provide state support for private school tuition. But the percentage supporting additional assistance is down from 62 percent three years ago, and those who favor state support for private school tuition is up 5 percentage points since 2006 to 23 percent.
• Residents overwhelmingly support the state requiring home-schooled students to participate in the state testing program, ISTEP, with 80 percent supporting the policy and 18 percent opposed.