53% Say Loss of Educational Opportunities Bigger Threat to Kids Than COVID; 31% Disagree

Posted on January 9, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters believe the loss of educational opportunities from shutting down schools is a bigger threat to children than the possibility of getting COVID. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 31% disagree and believe COVID is the bigger threat.

Republicans overwhelmingly see the loss of educational opportunities as the bigger threat. Independent voters agree by a 2-to-1 margin.

Democrats, however, disagree. By a 47% to 35% margin, those in President Biden’s party see the possibility of getting COVID as the bigger threat.

The survey also found that 36% believe it should be against the law for unvaccinated Americans to fly on commercial airlines. Forty-five percent (45%) disagree.

There is also a significant divide on this question. Democrats, by a 2-to-1 margin, believe it should be against the law for the unvaccinated to fly. Republicans disagree by an even wider margin (60% to 24%). Among Independents, 30% believe it should be against the law while 49% disagree.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question 1:

What is the bigger threat to children: the possibility of getting COVID or the loss of educational opportunities from shutting down schools?

31% Getting COVID

53% Loss of educational opportunities

16% Not sure

Question 2:

Should it be against the law for unvaccinated Americans to fly on commercial airlines?

36% Yes

45% No

19% Not sure

Question 3:

If you tested positive for COVID, how likely is it that you would recover quickly with only minor symptoms?

39% Very likely

35% Somewhat likely

7% Not very likely

5% Not at all likely

14% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on January 3-4, 2022. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points.

84% Believe Students Should Be Taught The Truth About Slavery; 81% Believe They Should Be Taught America Founded on Noble Ideals

Posted on January 5, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Eighty-four percent (84%) of voters believe public schools should teach the truth about slavery. At the same time, a Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 81% believe public schools should teach that America was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality, and self-governance.

Combining the results shows that 72% of voters believe both should be taught.

Another question found that 42% believe the schools should teach that America was founded on racism, slavery, and white supremacy. Forty-four percent (44%) disagree.

Overall, 40% believe students should be taught that America was founded on noble ideals, but not that the nation was founded on racism. Thirty percent (30%) believe both should be taught. Eleven percent (11%) say that the noble ideals should be taught and are not sure about racism. Nine percent (9%) believe schools should teach that the nation was founded on racism but not that it was founded upon noble ideals.

Finally, 64% believe that schools should teach that America is a force for good in the world. Fifteen percent (15%) disagree and 21% are not sure.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of those who support Trump-like policies believe that students should be taught that America is a force for good. So do 73% of traditional Democrats and 70% of traditional Republicans.

However, among those who support policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders, just 42% think students should learn that America is a force for good. Thirty percent (30%) of Sanders’ supporters say that positive message should not be taught while 28% are not sure.

Given a choice between four presidential candidates with equal skills and temperament, 31% would prefer a Republican who supported policies like those of President Trump. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% would prefer a Democrat who supported policies similar to Senator Bernie Sanders, 19% favor a more traditional Democrat, and 17% a more traditional Republican.

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Question 1:

Please indicate whether each of the following should be taught in public schools: The truth about slavery in America

84% Yes

7% No

9% Not sure

Question 2:

Please indicate whether each of the following should be taught in public schools: America was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality, and self-governance

81% Yes

11% No

7% Not sure

Question 3:

Please indicate whether each of the following should be taught in public schools: America was founded on racism, slavery, and white supremacy

42% Yes

44% No

15% Not sure

Question 4:

Please indicate whether each of the following should be taught in public schools: That the United States is a force for good in the world

64% Yes

15% No

21% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 16-17, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

54% Say It Should Be Against the Law to Require College Degree for Jobs When Degree is Not Relevant to Job Duties

Posted on January 4, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-four percent (54%) of voters believe it should be against the law to require a college degree for jobs when the degree is not relevant to job duties. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 29% disagree and 17% are not sure.

These views are shared widely across partisan and demographic lines. However, those with a bachelor’s degree but not a postgraduate degree are less supportive. Among such voters 47% believe requiring a degree should be against the law while 40% disagree.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of those with a postgraduate degree believe it should be against the law. So do 58% of those with some college experience and 54% of those who have never attended college.

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Question:

Many jobs today require a college degree to be considered, even when the degree is not relevant to the job duties. Should it be against the law to require a college degree for jobs when the degree is not relevant to job duties?

54% Yes

29% No

17% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 8-10, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

71% Believe Parents Should Play Significant Role in Curriculum Development Process

Posted on January 1, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters believe parents should play a significant role in the curriculum development process. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% disagree and 7% are not sure.

Forty-nine percent (49%) believe that parents currently have too little control over the process while 11% believe they have too much control.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of Republicans believe parents have too little control. So do 52% of Independent voters.

As on many issues, there is a significant divide between white and black Democrats. Fifty-four percent (54%) of Black Democrats believe parents have too little control. Just 6% say they have too much control. White Democrats, however, are evenly divided. Just 26% believe parents have too little control while 21% say they have too much of an impact.

Among all voters, 85% believe parents should be allowed to see all curriculum, books, and other materials in classes their children are taking. Just 8% disagree.

Overall, 52% of voters rate public schools in their area as good or excellent. However, just 38% of Black voters offer such a positive assessment.

Over the past year, there have been many reports of protests and conflict between parents and school boards. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 42% of voters generally side with the parents while 28% side with the school boards. Republicans tend to side with the parents by a 59% to 16% margin. Democrats take the opposite view and side with the school boards by a 45% to 26% margin. Among Independents, 39% side with the parents and 21% with the school boards.

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Question 1:

Should parents be allowed to see all curriculum, books, and other materials in classes their children are taking?

85% Yes

8% No

7% Not sure

Question 2:

Generally speaking, do parents have too much control over what students are taught in school, too little control, or about the right amount of control?

11% Too much

49% Too little

25% About right

14% Not sure

Question 3:

Okay, how significant a role should parents play in the curriculum development process?

30% Very significant

41% Somewhat significant

17% Not very significant

6% Not at all significant

7% Not sure

Methodology

52% Rate Public Schools Good or Excellent; Just 38% of Black Voters Offer Such Positive Reviews

Posted on January 1, 2022 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters rate the public schools in their area as good or excellent. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 28% rate those schools as fair and 13% say poor.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of White voters rate their schools as good or excellent. That view is shared by 47% of Hispanic voters and just 32% of Black voters.

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Question:

On a different topic, how do you rate the public schools in your area?

12% Excellent

40% Good

28% Fair

13% Poor

6% Not sure

Methodology

On School Boards Conflicts, 42% Generally Side With Parents, 28% With School Board

Posted on December 29, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Republicans tend to side with the parents by a 59% to 16% margin. Democrats take the opposite view and side with the school boards by a 45% to 26% margin. Among Independents, 39% side with the parents and 21% with the school boards.

Sometimes, of course, parents strongly disagree with what their children are being taught in a particular public school. If that happens, 58% believe the parents should be allowed–at no cost to the family–to have their child attend another school with different teaching. Just 22% disagree.

Sixty-seven percent (67%) believe school districts should be required to have a significant number of parents on their school boards.

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Question 1:

Suppose that parents strongly disagree with what their children are being taught in a particular public school. Should the parents be allowed–at no cost to the family–to have their child attend another school with different teaching?

58% Yes

22% No

20% Not sure

Question 2:

Over the past year, there have been many reports of protests and conflict between parents and school boards. Generally speaking, when hearing about these conflicts, do you tend to side with the parents or the school boards?

42% Parents

28% School Board

30% Not sure

Question 3:

Should school districts be required to have a significant number of parents on their school boards?

67% Yes

17% No

16% Not sure

Methodology

69% Want Students Taught That America Was Founded on Ideals of Freedom, Equality, and Self-Governance

Posted on August 2, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of voters believe students should be taught that “America was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality, and self-governance. Our nation has a tragic history of racial injustice, but we have made and continue to make progress.”

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 18% disagree and believe students should be taught that “America was founded on the ideas of racial oppression and white supremacy. We must recognize that the founders of our nation were racist and reject the system of government they created.” Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure which is more appropriate.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of Hispanic voters believe the nation was founded upon the noble ideals of freedom, equality, and self-governance. Seventy-four percent (74%) of White voters agree.

However, among Black voters, a modest plurality (42%) believe students should be taught that the nation was found upon racial oppression and white supremacy. Thirty-six percent (36%) of Black voters support teaching that America was founded on more noble ideals. Given the nation’s history, that result is far from surprising.

The survey also revealed public confusion over the term “Critical Race Theory.” Among those who have a Very Favorable opinion of Critical Race Theory, 62% believe students should be taught that “America was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality, and self-governance.” That conflicts with what many see as the political definition of Critical Race Theory.

Data released earlier showed that 93% of voters recognize that racism has played a major role in American history. That’s consistent with the question in this survey acknowledging that our nation has a tragic history of racial injustice.

Other data showed that 62% believe the US offers more freedom & equality than most Nations. That’s consistent with the question in this survey recognizing the history of racism, but also that we have made and continue to make progress. Seventy percent (70%) believe that the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s moved America closer to living out its founding ideals.

In raw political terms, voters strongly prefer a candidate supporting freedom & equality over one promising social justice and equity.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 29-31, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 231 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

71% Favor Taxing Endowment Income of Elite Universities Like Harvard

Posted on May 27, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters believe elite universities such as Harvard and other nonprofit foundations should pay taxes on their endowment income. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 12% disagree and 16% are not sure.

The idea of taxing the endowment funds is favored by 76% of Hispanic voters, 71% of Black voters, and 71% of White voters.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of Republicans favor the idea along with 71% of Democrats, and 61% of other voters.

Similar support is found for a proposal to tax the endowment funds of elite universities and use the money to fund apprenticeship programs. Seventy percent (70%) favor the proposal and 13% are opposed. Those figures include 36% who Strongly Favor the plan and 5% who are Strongly Opposed.

The proposal for taxing endowment funds of elite universities to fund apprenticeship programs was mad by Senator Tom Cotton.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,500 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 20-22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 216 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

86% Believe Missing In-person Education Damaging to Students

Posted on March 4, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Eighty-six percent (86%) of voters believe that missing out on in-person teaching during the pandemic has been damaging to students. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 11% disagree.

Those totals include 53% who believe the impact has been Very Damaging and 3% who say it has not been damaging at all.

This is a rare pandemic-related topic with broad agreement across party lines. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of Republicans believe the lack of in-person teaching has been damaging to students. So do 86% of Independents and 84% of Democrats.

However, the partisan divide appears clearly on a related question. Forty-eight percent (48%) of all voters believe the health threat to students and teachers is greater than the academic threat to students. Forty-four percent (44%) take the opposite view. On this question, 70% of Democrats see the health issues as a bigger concern while 65% of Republicans are more worried about academic issues. Independents are evenly divided.

Data released recently shows that a plurality of voters believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us. Additionally, 50% believe that many cities and states overreacted to the pandemic in ways that did more harm than good.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 25-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 156 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

72% Believe In-Person Learning Best for Students

Posted on February 3, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters believe that students learn more from in-person schooling than they do from virtual classrooms. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 9% disagree and believe virtual classrooms are better. Twelve percent (12%) believe results are about the same with both approaches and 7% are not sure.

This is one issue that people with and without a college degree share similar views. Seventy-four percent (74%) of college graduates believe in-person learning is best. So do 70% of those without a degree.

More than 60% of every measured demographic group believes in-person learning is best. That belief is shared by 79% of Republicans, 71% of Independents, and 67% of Democrats.

Other survey data shows that 53% of voters believe schools in their area should be open for in-person learning. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from January 28-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 211 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

60% of Voters Okay Allowing All Businesses to Re-open With Social Distancing Protocols

Posted on May 12, 2020 | by Scott Rasmussen

Sixty percent (60%) of voters nationwide believe every business that establishes safe social distancing protocols should be allowed to open. The latest Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 26% oppose the idea.

Support for allowing all businesses to responsibly re-open comes from 78% of Republicans, 60% of Independents, and 45% of Democrats.

At first glance, these results appear to contradict data suggesting ongoing public support for the lockdowns. In fact, the very same poll found that only 23% of voters think government officials have gone too far in shutting things down. Seventy-one percent (71%) believe those officials have either not gone far enough (35%) or have found the right balance (36%).

Digging a little deeper highlights the connections between these results.

* Not surprisingly, just about everyone who thinks the government has gone too far believes that businesses should be allowed to open with appropriate safety protocols.

* Among those who think the government response so far has been about right, 61% agree that all businesses should be allowed to re-open with safety protocols. Just 23% are opposed. The overall tone seems to be that the response has been okay so far and allowing businesses to open responsibly is the next logical step.

* The most stunning response comes from those who think the government has not gone far enough in shutting things down. On the question of allowing every business to re-open, they are evenly divided: 39% say yes while 45% do not.

In my weekly column for the Deseret News, I address some possible reasons for the apparent disconnect. It may be that “words like lockdown and shutdown being used in the public dialogue almost interchangeably with social distancing and flattening the curve.”

Whatever the explanation, the fact remains that only one-out-of-four voters today is opposed to letting all businesses re-open in a responsible manner. That cuts strongly against the narrative that voters remain committed to continuing the lockdowns. At the same time, voters still expect a strong societal commitment to social distancing and appropriate health protocols.

Other recent data shows that 65% of voters are concerned that public officials may be using the pandemic as an excuse to infringe upon the Constitutional rights of individual Americans.

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The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 7-9, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 174 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied and the overall sample and lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.