Constituencies for Education Funding

Poll of 1,067 adults nationwide conducted December 1-3, 2012

2

3 in 4 want MORE for EDUCATION

Do you believe that is too much, too little, or about right?

Even though Americans overestimate the percentage of the Federal budget spent on education by a lot…What percent of the federal budget do you think is currently spent on education?

Public estimates: 15% of Federal budget spent on educationActual spending: 2% of Federal spending devoted to education in

reality

24

43

32Too muchToo littleAbout right

…most think Federal spending on education is too little, few think it’s too much.

3

43% of Households Have StudentsWhat level of education are you or your children currently enrolled in?

In school 22 15 3 4 10 4

Pre-k/Elementary school High school Technical/vocational2-year college 4-year college Graduate school

Not in school

43%

57%

Majority Favor Raising Taxes for the Wealthy over Spending Cuts

Increasing taxes

Cutting Spending

58

42

As you may know, on January 2, 2013 most Federal programs face automatic across-the-board spending cuts of 8%-9%, called sequestration. In addition, Federal income taxes will increase for almost all Americans in January. Generally speaking, if you had to choose one or the other, do you think it is better to reduce the federal budget deficit by:

4

Most Favor Cuts in Defense Spending Rather Than in Education

Defense spending cuts

Education programs cuts

57

43

As Congress tries to come to an agreement, if it comes down to either cuts in defense spending, OR cuts in education programs, which would you favor?

5

Majority Supports Protecting Education From Cuts

Medicare69%

Low-income tax credits

58% Education55%

Defense39% Science Research

34%

Tax cuts above $250,000

21%Corporate tax cuts

13%

Which of these programs do you consider it very important for Congress to protect from automatic cuts in spending or increases in taxes? Figures show percentage who saying it is very important to protect from automatic cuts

Two-thirds Want To Protect Education From The Sequester

Cut Education the same as other programs

34%

Cut Education, but less than other programs

21%

Don’t cut education at all

45%

Investing in Education Is…

Helps close academic achievement gaps among groups of students

Will improve our global competitiveness with countries like China

Will help students get good paying jobs

Prepares students to be productive citizens

Helps more students attend college

Helps move people into the middle class

Important to our future economic growth

34

42

38

42

38

39

54

33

32

36

33

38

38

32

Do you agree or disagree with the following reasons to increase investments in education. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree.

Figures show percentages who Strongly Agree or Somewhat Agree with each statement, and total in agreement

8

86

77

76

75

74

73

68

For more information on research, please contact:

Thomas RiehleYouGov

thomas.riehle@yougov.com(202) 544 2550