TRENTON — New Jersey voters are split on the growth of charter schools, according to a poll released today by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Forty four percent of respondents supported increasing the number of charter schools in the state, while 42 percent opposed opening more charters. "As education issues continue to make headlines here, voters...
Sarit Bercovici, a long-term Kindergarten substitute teacher work with students at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School during class. The school featuring Hebrew language immersion, is one of a controversial type of new charter school. TRENTON — New Jersey voters are split on the growth of charter schools, according to a poll released today by the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.
Forty four percent of respondents supported increasing the number of charter schools in the state, while 42 percent opposed opening more charters.
"As education issues continue to make headlines here, voters are mixed on their reactions," said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll and a political science professor at the university.
The poll also indicated black voters are more supportive of charter schools than white voters. A large majority of white voters would prefer to send their children to public schools, while a narrow majority of black respondents said they would send their children to charter schools, if given the choice.
"African Americans, while not otherwise supportive of Gov. Chris Christie, are generally behind his plans for charter schools and vouchers," said Redlawsk.
The state has 73 charter schools with 23 more approved and set to open over the next two years.
Carlos Perez, president and CEO of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association, said poll results may have been skewed against charters because pollsters did not classify the schools as public, innovative, or accountable, traits Perez said charter schools embody.
"We're surprised the poll didn't ask respondents about their level of awareness of what a charter school was or if they could identify a charter school as a public, private or sectarian school," Perez said.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. sees largest number of charter school applications
• N.J. battle intensifies over funding for themed charter schools
• Crowds expected at Newark meeting to debate charters sharing campuses with district schools
• Braun: Christie's charter school agenda fuels anger over N.J. school budgets
• Superintendents for N.J. charter schools able to skirt salary caps imposed by Christie
• Two N.J. charter schools placed on probation, third faces shutdown if student scores don't improve
• Braun: Charter schools debate deserves real information that Christie administration withholds
• Acting education chief says N.J. to hire independent agency to analyze data on charter schools