Results from the 2015 PDK/Gallup poll on attitudes toward public schools are in, showing that Americans believe there is too much emphasis on standardized testing, and they rank standardized testing lower than other approaches to measuring student progress such as examples of student work, grades awarded by the teacher, or written observations by the teacher.

The biggest problem facing school? Lack of financial support.

The 1,001 people polled opposed using standardized test scores for evaluating teachers; they split on whether parents ought to be able to opt kids out of standardized testing; and a majority oppose vouchers and using Common Core standards to guide what teachers teach

You can read results and details here.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

Featured

The renovation of Jekyll Island's Great Dunes golf course includes nine holes designed by Walter Travis in the 1920s for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Several holes that were part of the original layout where located along the beach and were bulldozed in the 1950s.(Photo by Austin Kaseman)

Credit: Photo by Austin Kaseman