TASB: Poll Shows Texans Support Increased Teacher Pay, Oppose Vouchers
Texans want lawmakers to prioritize teacher salaries and funding for public schools, according to the results of a poll released this afternoon by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
The poll also shows declining support for voucher programs that would shift taxpayer dollars into private schools.
When asked about the importance of key public education issues, the top two priorities were increasing teacher salaries, with 73 percent of Texans considering it extremely or very important, and additional funding for public schools, with 68 percent of respondents prioritizing it.
When specifically asked about their stance on vouchers, only 39 percent favored vouchers, marking a significant eight-point decrease since February 2023, when TASB conducted a similar poll during the regular legislative session.
This increase in opposition against vouchers not only extends across party lines but also among a majority of White, Hispanic, and Black respondents in both urban and rural communities.
The poll, conducted by Perception Insight, a Texas-based opinion research firm, also reveals a downward trend in support for voucher programs. When asked about using public tax dollars to pay for private or religious schools, only 32 percent of respondents said that vouchers are important — the lowest ranking issue in the poll.
