We’re proud to have produced the 56th Annual PDK Poll for Phi Delta Kappa International, a professional association of educators. The PDK Poll (from 1969 to 2015, the Gallup/PDK poll) continues its long history of investigating attitudes on the public education issues of the day. This year’s poll finds broad support for efforts by the next administration in Washington, regardless of the winner, to increase its focus on education in several areas, especially preparing students to enter the workforce, attracting and retaining good teachers, addressing student mental health, helping students who have fallen behind academically and college affordability. Sixty-one percent (rising to 71 percent of public school parents) prefer a candidate for political office who favors increased funding for the public schools.

Among other results, just 40 percent would want a child of theirs to take up teaching in the public schools, down from 75 percent when first asked in 1969. Among people who would not want their child to become a public school teacher, two reasons stand out: Thirty-three percent cite inadequate pay and benefits and 27 percent cite a lack of discipline in the schools.

A full report and topline results are available on the PDK Poll website. Results have been covered in Education Week, The 74, Whiteboard Advisors and Educators Rising.