National Surveys: Plurality of parents prefer DL, most getting what they want

[Anonymous]

From Chalkbeat: https://www.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/18/22289735/parents-polls-schools-opening-remote

Two new, nationally representative polls of American families offer the most detailed look yet at parent sentiment during a long period of educational disruption. They show that parents’ preferences are varied, with the largest group wanting their child to learn from home full-time and substantial numbers preferring either part- or full-time in-person school.

Notably, parents’ preferences mostly match up with their reality — an indication that schools nationwide have been responsive to families as they craft their instructional plans.

The article goes on to say that the group most likely to NOT be getting what they want are white and high income. So...in general it appears that school boards (including MCPS) are giving parents what they want. Which makes sense because school boards tend to reflect the will of their constituents. The folks most likely to be unhappy with the educational model being offered are going to be those who are out of step, demographically or politically, with their district.

This helps to explain why some of us have felt perplexed by the vitriol on DCUM, compared to conversations we are having in real life. DCUM skews white and high income, so is most likely to contain the group least happy with what is on offer, even if the plurality of folks in the district are getting what they want.

[Anonymous]

Look at Chicago public school district... They are getting what they want... Only 30% some 3rd grader are proficient readers at the grade level... REALLY be careful with what you want

[Anonymous]

America's children/future are at stake here. Lower income and people of color are especially heavily dependent on the public system. A failing public educational system full of union requests and political activists does MOST harm to those dependent on it

[Anonymous]

Right, the same pollsters who are SO accurate...c’mon.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing whatsoever in that article about methodology. We've seen how badly designed polling can be wrong (c.f. election 2016). I am skeptical.

[Anonymous]

There is a book called "lying with statistics"... It is a good reading

[Anonymous]

What a crappy, dramatically flawed conclusion. They're not giving us DL because that's what people wanted. So, if 75% wanted in-person, that's what we would have had instead? No, we'd be in the same spot because what parents want is entirely irrelevant (and that's probably understated).

[Anonymous]

Yeah, most are getting what they want because they have a choice in most of the country.

[Anonymous]

I wish the article had more details. It's so vague that it makes it hard to believe. It reads like puffery.

FWIW I am a liberal Democrat who thought Trump would win in 2016 because I didn't believe the reporting about the polls. This article is giving me 2016 flashbacks.

[Anonymous]

In almost all districts surveyed in this area (last summer), it was about an even split between those that preferred either virtual or in person. That was a long time ago, and people on both sides have changed their minds now. Some that are still choosing virtual are only doing so because the in-person option is 2 days per week and logistically difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In almost all districts surveyed in this area (last summer), it was about an even split between those that preferred either virtual or in person. That was a long time ago, and people on both sides have changed their minds now. Some that are still choosing virtual are only doing so because the in-person option is 2 days per week and logistically difficult.

Yes, so about half of families in this area have gotten what they wanted. Full time DL.

The other half? Just complainers, just whites who are out of step "demographically or politically".

[Anonymous]

follow the money. a lot of pro-lockdown organizations in the funders of both the study and the chalkbeat group.

https://www.chalkbeat.org/pages/supporters

https://uasdata.usc.edu/index.php

[Anonymous]

A different value system should not be criticized. If you want to be DL forever - please go right ahead. But there should not be political pressure to keep children out of a school building due to a minority group.

That said, the political motivations behind these surveys are clear.

[Anonymous]

It is not a good idea to make educational policy based on what people want. This can often be in conflict with what children need.

Opinion polling is a bad way to make good policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In almost all districts surveyed in this area (last summer), it was about an even split between those that preferred either virtual or in person. That was a long time ago, and people on both sides have changed their minds now. Some that are still choosing virtual are only doing so because the in-person option is 2 days per week and logistically difficult.

Yes, so about half of families in this area have gotten what they wanted. Full time DL.

The other half? Just complainers, just whites who are out of step "demographically or politically".

So it only matters what some people want when you agree with them! Neat! I also enjoy making broad generalizations that erase entire portions of society! It is fun to pretend that there are 0 POC or low SES people who want in person schools! As I indicated before, their desires matter when they conform to my opinion that schools should be full DL!