Americans believe in public schools and support their government being involved.

-79% say: “The government – local, state or federal – should be responsible for funding preschool education for all children in the U.S.”17 (Harris Interactive, May 2007)

-72% support reform of the public school system, versus only 26% who want an alternative to public schools.18 (Gallup, September 2007)

-Only 31% support “contract[ing] with private profit-making corporations” to run their public schools.19 (Gallup, September 2007)

-Only 39% support letting families “choose a private school to attend at public expense,” down from a high of 46% in 2002.20 (Gallup, September 2007)

-The public is split on allowing families to choose a public, private or religious school with “the government [paying] part of the tuition.” 51% support, including 61% of public school parents.21 (Gallup, September 2007)