Questions and responses from polls conducted for the Chicago Public Schools in 1999 and 2000.
October 14-17, 2000
Margin of Error +/- 4.3%
When do you believe the school year should begin for the students in the Chicago Public School system?
9% Two weeks before Labor Day
20% One week before Labor Day
46% The first week after Labor Day
12% Doesn’t Matter
3% Don’t Know
Do you believe it is very important, somewhat important or not important at all for parents or guardians of Chicago Public School Students to bring their children to school the first week of school, so the parents or guardian’s can become acquainted with the school and the school’s administration?
68% Very important
23% Somewhat important
6% Not important at all
3% Don’t know
What do you believe is the main reason the Chicago Public School’s student test scores have improved in recent years?
19% Better teaching
16% Parental involvement
5% More studying/homework
4% More effort by administration/teachers
What do you believe can be done to improve the Chicago Public School system?
19% Smaller class size/more teachers
12% More parental involvement
10% Better teachers
4% Better/more programs
Which one of the following do you feel the Chicago Public School system should work hardest on to improve?
20% Security for School
35% Reduce class sizes
14% Increase after school learning programs
10% Computerizing classrooms
12% Expand math and science programs
1% Other
1% None
7% Don’t know
Which one the following do you think should be given the most consideration in promoting a student to the next grade in the Chicago Public School System?
52% Overall grades during the school year
9% Good behavior and participation in the classroom
5% A strong attendance record
25% Passing and exam at the end of the school year to determine if a student is prepared for the next grade
0% None
9% Don’t know
Should a student be promoted to next grade is they fail to achieve a minimum score on an examination at the end of the school year?
27% Yes— Should be promoted
64% No— Should not be promoted
9% Don’t Know
Should the school year be extended to 11 months for Chicago Public School student?
32% Yes—Why?
36% Not learning enough
25% Keep them out of trouble
16% Need more class time
54% No—Why?
43% Need time off/vacation
17% Too long
14% Not needed
14% Don’t know
Should the Chicago Public School system provide before and after school learning programs for it’s students?
84% Yes
11% No
5% Don’t know
Should the parents of the students who attend these classes be required to help pay for these classes, if the parents income exceeds a certain level?
60% Yes
34% No
6% Don’t Know
December 9-11, 1999
Margin of Error +/- 3.4%
Do you think the Chicago Public School system is heading in the right or wrong direction?
57% Right
26% Wrong
18% Don’t know
Who do you think is most responsible for the direction of the system?
A:
29% Teachers
18% Local School Councils
42% Chicago Public School Administration
11% Don’t Know
B:
15% Teachers
16% Local School Councils
50% Chicago Public School Administration
19% Don’t Know
The Chicago Public School system has eliminated social promotions which means students will not be promoted to the next grade unless they are academically prepared for the next grade. Do you agree with the elimination of social promotions in the Chicago Public School System?
94% Approve
3% Disapprove
3% Don’t Know
As you have read zero tolerance in schools has become an issue of much debate. From what you have heard is the Chicago Public Schools System’s policy for expelling students, Very Fair, Fair or Not Fair At all?
17% Very Fair
49% Fair
13% Not fair at all
11% Don’t Know
Do you support or oppose a zero tolerance policy in schools?
71% Support
16% Oppose
13% Don’t Know
June 18-20, 1999
Margin of Error +/- 3.4%
Changes are being recommended for the elementary level Magnet Programs. One change is to reduce the 24 different.programs now offered in the Magnet Programs to 4 core programs? Do you approve or disapprove with this change?
48% Approve
26% Disapprove
26% Don’t know
Would you approve of this change if you knew 4 core programs were math and science, world languages, fine and performing arts, and an Advanced International Curriculum?
45% Yes
21% No
34% Don’t Know
With the reduction from 24 different programs now offered in the Magnet Programs to 4 core programs, each school would be to specialize in only one core area. Do you approve or disapprove of this change?
40% Approve
40% Disapprove
20% Don’t Know
Do you believe the bussing is necessary?
66% Yes—Why?
42% Parents don’t have the time to take/pick-up
8% Not all schools have gifted programs
7% Schools job to take/pick-up students
17% No
17% Don’t Know
April 15, 1999
Margin of Error +/- 3.8%
Do you believe that local school councils are working to provide schools with good administrative oversight?
56% Yes
23% No
21% Don’t Know
Who do you think should hire school principals, local school councils or Chicago Public Schools Administration?
41% Local School Councils
47% Chicago Public School Administration
12% Don’t Know
Do you believe local school councils should be required to have criminal background checks before serving on the local school council?
89% Yes
10% No
1% Don’t Know
Do you believe local school council members should required to satisfy minimal educational requirements to serve on a Local School Council?
85% Yes
13% No
2% Don’t Know
Should local school councils serve only as an advisory to a school or should they have administrative control over the school?
59% Advisory Only
29% Administrative control
12% Don’t Know
If a principal’s evaluations have been unsatisfactory should the local school council be prohibited from renewing the principal’s contract?
67% Yes
28% No
5% Don’t Know
Should the retention of a school principal, by local school council, be based on specific academic criteria or should there be no set standards for a local school council in deciding whether or not to renew a principal’s contract?
78% Set standards
15% No set standards
7% Don’t Know