Research Studies: Education

Supporting Teacher Talent: The View From Generation Y
Jane G. Coggshall, Ph.D., Amber Ott, Ellen Behrstock, and Molly Lasagna

New research by Public Agenda and Learning Point Associates examining the views of Generation Y teachers shows that 71 percent are open to financial incentives for teachers who consistently work harder and put in more time and effort, with 25 percent "strongly" favoring such measures. At the same time, only ten percent say student performance on standardized tests would be an "excellent" measure of teacher success.

Teaching for a Living: How Teachers See the Profession Today
Jean Johnson, Andrew Yarrow, Jonathan Rochkind and Amber Ott

Two out of five of American K-12 teachers appear disheartened and disappointed about their jobs, according to Public Agenda's Teaching for a Living study, conducted with Learning Point Associates and released in association with Education Week.

Just Waiting to Be Asked?: A Fresh Look at Attitudes on Public Engagement
By Steve Farkas, Patrick Foley and Ann Duffett, with Tony Foleno and Jean Johnson

School district leaders say they are eager for public engagement in educational decision making, but the venue they rely on most -- the school board meeting -- is primarily seen as a vehicle for the most vocal and disgruntled citizens. In this report, teachers, of all the groups surveyed, feel the most ignored. Parents and the public would like to see more community involvement, but two-thirds say they're comfortable leaving decisions to the professionals.

Public Engagement in Education:
By Will Friedman and Aviva Gutnick with Jackie Danzberger

Commissioned by the Ford Foundation, this paper defines public engagement and outlines the successful strategies for involving citizens: how to get beyond the "usual suspects, how to ensure civil but candid discussions, and how to develop action plans. Includes five case histories of communities from Maine to California.

Summing It Up: A Review of Survey Data on Education and the National Education Goals
Jean Johnson and Claire Aulicino.

Conducted at the request of the National Education Goals Panel, this study analyzes recent public opinion research on education and the public schools, reviewing surveys conducted by a variety of respected national organizations. A special attempt has been made to locate and analyze recent opinion data on the eight national goals. Available on The National Education Goals Panel Web site at http://www.negp.gov or call 202-724-0015.

Good News, Bad News: What People Really Think About the Education Press
Steve Farkas.

The role the media play in shaping perceptions of the public schools is a recurring theme in the ongoing debate over the quality of public education. Prepared for the Education Writers Association, this study explores the attitudes of the general public, parents with children in public schools, educators, and education reporters and editors, toward media coverage of education. 1997.

Americans' Views on Standards: An Assessment by Public Agenda
John Immerwahr and Jean Johnson.

This report provides an in-depth review of Americans' attitudes about raising and enforcing higher academic standards in public schools. This assessment draws from Public Agenda's extensive archive of public opinion research on education as well as from research prepared by other prominent opinion analysts. 1996.

The Basics: Parents Talk About Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and the Schools
Will Friedman.

Based on ten focus groups around the country with parents of public school children, the public's concern with the basics is explored. The report includes what the public means by 'the basics' and why they are considered to be so important. 1995.

The Public's Capacity for Deliberation:
Steve Farkas and Will Friedman with Ali Bers.

Based on seven citizen discussion groups held across the country on education, this study explores the capacity of diverse groups of citizens to come together, consider an issue and work through alternative choices for solving it. 1995.

Accomplishing Reform with Public Engagement: A Map of the Process
Steve Farkas and Jean Johnson.

Prepared in collaboration with the Kettering Foundation, this map helps citizens and community groups who want to undertake reform but believe the public should or needs to be their partner if real change is to occur. Roadblocks a community might encounter are flagged. 1995.

Professional Development for Teachers: The Public's View
Steve Farkas, with Will Friedman.

Based on a series of focus group discussions, this pilot study looks at public attitudes toward teachers' professional development. 1995.

Effective Public Engagement:
Steve Farkas.

Americans views toward proposals to set higher academic standards for students is explored. 1993. Available from the National Center on Education and the Economy, 202-783-3668. $5.00 for New Standards partners; $25.00 for non-partners.

Math Leads the Way: Perspectives on Math Reform

This report looks at the views of math educators and other education professionals on math reform. Included is an examination of attitudes that could derail efforts to reform math education. 1993.

Educational Reform: The Players and the Politics
Steve Farkas.

This study examines education stakeholders' views on the goals of education and the present performance of schools. 1992.

Crosstalk: The Public, the Experts, and Competitiveness
John Immerwahr, Jean Johnson, and Adam Kernan-Schloss.

Public attitudes about competitiveness, education, and technology in the workplace are explored. The report identifies serious gaps in perspective between leaders and the general public. 1991.