SURVEY SUMMARY MEMORANDUM

TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE:

INTERESTED PARTIES MICHAEL MEYERS, TARGETPOINT CONSULTING KEY FINDINGS ON CHARTER SCHOOL SUPPORT IN MISSISSIPPI JANUARY 7, 2012

Introduction Our survey was conducted from November 26 December 2, 2012 with a listed sample of 2,580 active voters across Mississippi including an oversample of voters in DeSoto and Rankin Counties. We controlled our sample by a number of factors including gender, race and region in order to ensure that our sample was representative of the entire state. 15% of the interviews were conducted via cell phone. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 2%. Majority Support for Charter Schools A majority of Mississippi voters support the concept of charter schools. When asked at the beginning of the survey, based on what you know about charter schools, would you say you support or oppose making charter schools an option for Mississippi students?, a majority of Mississippians support charter schools (by a nearly 2:1 margin). After hearing a brief description1 of charter schools, nearly seven out of ten Mississippi voters express support for charter schools. (69% - 25%) Support for Charter Schools is Broad

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Voters across a broad range of geographies and demographics expressed support. Support for charter schools was strongest in the Delta Region (73% - 23%) but support never dropped below 65% in any region. Support in DeSoto and Rankin counties was also strong with 66% and 70% respectively supporting charters.

1 Q5. Charter schools are public schools that can be created to meet educational needs in unique ways. Charter schools cannot charge tuition, and the public funding follows the child to the school. Charter schools would be required to take the same assessment tests and meet accountability standards of traditional public schools. Knowing this information, do you support the creation of charter schools in Mississippi?

Men and women are equally supportive of charter schools, while younger voters tend to be more supportive than older voters (84% of 18-24 year olds support, 64% of voters 65+ were supportive). African-American voters are strongly supportive of charter schools as well. 68% of African-American voters support charters, while only 27% are opposed. Perhaps most importantly, 70% of voters with school age children support charter schools in Mississippi. Encouragingly, a majority (60%) of voters with school district employees in their households were supportive of charters. Support for charter schools also spans the partisan divide with Republicans (74%), Democrats (63%) and Independents (71%) all supporting charter schools. Mississippi Voters Want Charters Available to All Children When given a choice between contrasting statements on charters, 65% of Mississippi voters agreed more with the supporters statement: we should allow charter schools to be formed in any school district, because every child has unique educational needs, and parents need the alternative of moving their child to another school if his or her needs arent met at the current school. While only 26% agreed more with the opposing statement:
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allowing charter schools to operate anywhere will increase administrative costs and dilute the resources of good schools, without really improving student achievement.

This support is likely driven by the fact that even in Mississippis better school districts (those rated as A, B or C), nearly 50,000 students are attending schools with a failing grade of D or F. In total, more than 100,000 Mississippi public school students are attending schools that are rated BELOW the performance rating of their district. Conclusions Mississippi voters are ready for charter schools to become part of their education system. Only 4% of voters rate their public school system as excellent. They know we can do better, and they clearly see charter schools state-wide as a key way to improve all of our schools.