Voters want change

A survey of likely voters shows that they are concerned about education -- so why isn't it a topic of the presidential campaigns?

A press release issued by Lake Research Partners shows that the majority of voters surveyed believe that it is extremely important to have good public schools nationwide, but there is also concern that public education in the United States is behind what is offered to students in other parts of the world and that we devote less attention to developing the imagination, creative skills, and innovation than other nations.

And maybe candidates should consider these little tidbits from the poll, according to the press release:

• 56% of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who came out
in support of more funding.
• The electorate is even more willing to punish a candidate who votes to cut funding
for building capacities of the imagination. 57% of voters say they would be less
likely to vote for such a candidate, and 36% percent of voters say they would be
much less likely. Independent voters prove especially reactive to a candidate’s
decision to cut funding for building the capacities of the imagination.

The poll was commissioned by a coalition of organizations that ranged from the National Education Association to the National Association of Manufacturers. The backers also include
the International Music Products Association, the Ford Foundation, the George Gund Foundation and the Arts Education Partnership, which represents more than 100
educational and arts related national organizations.