This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter highlighting the initial findings of our 7th Texas Voter Poll. To receive this weekly look at our work, sign up here.
Strong Support for Public Schools, Deep Concern for the Future of Texas
Setting the stage: Originally launched in 2020, our 7th Texas Voter Poll was conducted at the end of August.
- The poll gauges public support for non-partisan policies and lays out a roadmap for state leaders to strengthen voter confidence and move Texas forward.
Cause for concern: An increasing number of Texas voters have significant worries about the future of Texas with nearly half believing that Texas children today will have less opportunity to succeed than prior generations.
- That number has jumped 17 points from our last poll in January 2022.
At the same time: Texas voters overwhelmingly support elevating public education standards to ensure more high school graduates are ready for college or a career.
- These attitudes of Texas voters take on added significance as Texas lawmakers gear up for an education-focused special session this fall.
By the numbers: Texas Voter Poll key findings 🗳
46% of Texas voters believe children today will have worse opportunities to succeed while 30% believe they will have better opportunities.
- That’s a reversal from our January 2022 poll results when 41% believed children will have better opportunities and 29% believed they will have worse opportunities.
65% of Texas voters are either extremely or very concerned about the state’s future.
- The current figure is 10 points higher than what we measured in January 2022 and 34 points higher than what we measured in January 2020 before the pandemic hit.
96% of Texas voters agree that the strength of a community’s public education system is critical, with 89% indicating that it’s extremely or very important.
70% of Texas voters selected teaching students to read at grade level as the most or next most important element of a good school.
- College and career readiness was cited by 59% of voters as a leading element of a good school. Teaching students to do math at grade level, was named an important element by 47% of voters.
80% of Texas voters expressed support for the Texas Education Agency’s proposed initiative to elevate the standards for school ratings.
- Under this new framework, the benchmark to attain an “A” rating would rise substantially, requiring 88% of students to graduate prepared for either college or a career.
✏️ Read more: Texas Education Agency announces temporary delay of release of 2023 A-F accountability ratings
