Poll: Most in RI Support Higher Teacher Standards

Poll: Most in RI Support Higher Teacher Standards

Most Rhode Islanders support raising teaching standards, according to the second part of a public opinion poll released Wednesday by the Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now (RI-CAN).

The poll revealed that over 75 percent of participants support higher teacher standards including basing teacher evaluations on student performance, raising standards for acceptance into the state's teacher-preparation programs, and requiring RI teachers to pass a reading proficiency test before they can teach elementary school students.

"Ninety-two percent of Rhode Islanders polled agreed that the most important part of a good education is a good teacher," said RI-CAN Executive Director Maryellen Butke. "We've got to identify, recruit, hold on to, support and respect our great teachers if we're going to transform our public schools. That includes holding teachers to higher professional standards."

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Pollsters also supported raising high school graduation requirements, expanding the number of high performing public charter schools in RI, raising state education standards and holding schools accountable to student achievement. Full poll results can be found here. 

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