Poll: Majority happy with public schools

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Most of us are satisfied with the quality of public school education in Indiana.

That's one of the conclusions of the new, WISH-TV / Ball State University Hoosier Survey.

Considering some of what we heard around Election Day, that may be a little surprising.  Part of the election's education argument hinged on school vouchers, using public money to send kids to private or parochial schools.

Our poll found 28% of the people surveyed support expanding the voucher program. That's down six points from last year.

Thirty one percent said they oppose the idea.

Thirty nine percent had no opinion.

I asked Mayor Greg Ballard about that today, since he wants the city to open more charter schools. He said vouchers are important.

 "I think choice is a good thing in education.  I don't think kids should be a victim of their geography, if you will.  I mean, sometimes, they're in a great school system or a great school's right next to the house.  Other times, not so good.  So, I think the choice is good for everybody."

The Ball State researchers said, as they see it, the most significant statistic from the survey is in the percentage of people who don't know or have no opinion about vouchers.  That 39% is up nearly eleven points from last year.

The pollsters said they did find hear from people who found room for improvement in public schools.

But, often--roughly a third of the time -- the poll's participants said schools can best be improved by greater parental involvement with their schools.