February 2007 Partnership for Learning Statewide Voter Survey

A recent statewide survey of 500 voters in Washington State. While the voters were split on whether Washington's K-12 educations system was on the right track, or not, there was overwhelming support for the continuing use of the 10th grade WASL as a graduation requirement (62 percent). Support climbed as high as 86 percent when voters were told about alternatives to the test. Voters generally did not support a delay in the graduation requirements and agreed that two years of unspecified math (the current requirement) should be increased to three or four years. One of the greatest concerns by voters was that public schools prepare students for work and/or college. Most voters say that the same skills needed to succeed in college are those needed to succeed in the workplace.