TASB Poll: Texans Support More Public Ed $$$ — and Policies To Regulate Education Savings Accounts

Texans want lawmakers to increase funding for public schools and teacher salaries while also enacting policies to regulate educational savings accounts (ESA) if they are passed into law, according to a new poll (press release) by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

When asked about the importance of providing more money to Texas public schools, 77 percent of poll respondents backed more funding. Public education was also ranked as the highest priority for lawmakers, tied only with border security and illegal immigration.

“A majority of Texans know the importance of investing in public education for a strong economy and prosperous future,” said TASB Executive Director Dan Troxell, adding:

“They not only value public education, but they want lawmakers to prioritize our teachers and our students by investing more in salaries and allocating more money for school safety.”

The poll, conducted by Perception Insight, a Texas-based opinion research firm, also reveals a majority are opposed to providing public tax dollars to families who home school or creating programs that give parents state money to send their kids to private or religious schools.

The poll of 807 registered voters was conducted on TASB’s behalf during the last week of January. Among those responding, 47 percent reported voting for Republicans most often, 34 percent indicated a preference for Democrats, and the remaining 19 percent said they vote independent of party.