A poll taken by Phi Delta Kappa International, an association of education professionals, and Gallup shows that most Americans favor serveral education reforms backed by the Obama administration, including teacher merit pay and charter schools. Most Americans also favor a single national test for students verses separate state tests because they favor the ability to set the same standard for all schools. Support for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) continues to decline, however, despite the support for nationwide annual testing (which is an element of NCLB).

Follow up:

As mentioned, teacher merit pay is favored by most based on administration evaluations, student academic achievement, and advanced degrees. Many Americans also favor national standards for the certification of teachers since almost all Americans realize the importance of good teachers in student success. It is also recognized that even with better teachers, parental support of these teachers and schools is still an integral part of student success.

What is seen as the #1 obstacle to schools' success? Well the lack of funds of course. And considering that the majority of people polled believe that the best way to encourage high school age students to stay in school and get a diploma is to offer more interesting classes, one can't help but think about this #1 concern. Where would the money for these classes come for? And how are we going to pay some teachers more based on merit?

According to the poll, more American parents are encouraging their kids to become teachers than in the past. That is promising. Teaching needs to be seen not just as an important profession but a respected one. As a high school teacher, I was more than once asked by students why with a college degree I took a job that paid so little. I sure hope we find a way to pay teachers more and encourage students to better respect the profession.