In a survey commissioned by the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), nearly three in five Pennsylvanians oppose the elimination of the federal Department of Education and oppose giving taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers to parents to allow them to send their children to the public or religious school of their choice.

The poll, conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research, sampled opinions of 700 registered/likely voters during the period of March 17-23 with a margin of error of +/-3.7%.

While the respondents opposed eliminating the DOE and tuition vouchers, nearly 59 percent believe the greater threat to public schools is the lack of funding and resources needed to teach and fully support students.

The poll numbers appear to indicate that a majority of respondents wish for the status quo, as they overwhelmingly opposed the reduction of federal funding for important education programs, such as free and/or reduced-price lunches in schools, Title I funds to disadvantaged schools and funding for students with special needs.

It should be noted that the framing of the questions appears to follow the line of asking if respondents want to spend more money or not. It may not be surprising that the answer appears to be no.

Do you support or oppose eliminating the U.S. Department of Education

• 39% – Support
• 58% – Oppose

PA receives $740M annually in federal spending for free and reduced lunches in school Would you like to see Congress increase funding, keep the funding the same, or reduce funding?

• 34% – Increase funding
• 54% – Keep the funding the same
• 8% – Reduce funding

PA receives $578M annually in federal funding for Title I programs that help economically disadvantaged students in nearly all schools districts?

• 42% – Increase funding
• 44% – Keep the funding the same
• 6% – Reduce funding

PA receives $428 million annually in federal funding for students with special needs, which supports services for approximately three hundred thousand students across the state. 

• 40% – Increase funding
• 48% – Keep the funding the same
• 6% – Reduce funding

Do you agree or disagree that the employees of the federal Department of Education act in
the best interest of the public?

• 45% – Agree
• 36% – Oppose
• 18% – Neutral

Generally speaking, do you support or oppose giving taxpayer dollars to parents to pay for
tuition at private or religious K-12 schools? 

• 32% – Support
• 61% – Oppose
• 7% – Neutral

Results and Key Findings