Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Too Few Americans Get Important Education Information from Educators

  • 08/20/14

Statement of NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti on the 46th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitude Toward Public Schools

Reston, VA – The 46th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll revealed the dismaying news that, though many more Americans have heard of Common Core, the vast majority is getting its information from sources other than educators. The data reflect NASSP’s ongoing concern that the college- and career-ready standards movement has become so politicized that political ideology is trumping educational benefit.

Last year’s PDK/Gallup Poll posted high ratings for the credibility of teachers and principals on educational matters. My fervent hope is that more members of the American public will seek out the perspectives of local educators on Common Core; that they attend to the passionate voices of school leaders who are optimistic for the prospects of deep cross-content literacy; that they witness the frustration of educators who have invested incalculable energy in building a culture of success around Common Core, only to have their states abandon them with a sudden change of course; and that they raise their voices in solidarity with educators who cry foul at poor implementation practices that doom Common Core to failure.

For our part, we will continue to encourage and build the capacity of school leaders to amplify their voices. We remain optimistic that those who are closest to the standards and see their daily effects will also capture the greatest attention.

About NASSP
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils.

Featured

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.

  • Opportunity by Design Framework

    Opportunity by Design

    Educational improvement efforts often focus on curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, and intervention systems while treating the physical school building as background. But school design is not a passive backdrop to learning — it is a structural lever for equity.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.