Telephone Survey of California Voters
Conducted for Children NOW
September 7-19, 2016
EMC Research #16-6146
n=1,000; Margin of Error + 3.10 percentage points
All numbers in this document represent percentage (%) values, unless otherwise noted. Please note that
due to rounding, percentages may not add up to exactly 100.
Hello, my name is ________, may I speak with [NAME ON LIST].
Hello, my name is ________, and I'm conducting a survey for ________ to find out how people in California
feel about some of the different issues facing them. We are not trying to sell anything, and are collecting this
information on a scientific and completely confidential basis.

1.

2.

3.

RECORD GENDER BY OBSERVATION
Male
Female

47
53

Are you registered to vote in California?
Yes CONTINUE
No TERMINATE

100
-

Do you think things in California are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel that things
are pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Right Direction
44
Wrong Track
44
(Don't Know)
12

 EMC Research #16-6146

4.

What would you say is the most important problem facing California today?
(OPEN ENDED, ACCEPT ONE RESPONSE; CLARIFY AS NEEDED)
Water/Drought
Education
Employment/Jobs
Politics/Democrats/Republicans
Immigration
Budget/Government spending
Taxes
Economy
Cost of living
Environment/Climate change
Poverty/Homelessness
Housing
Crime/Drugs/Gangs
Government regulations/Big government
Inequality
Traffic/Congestion
Healthcare
Growth/Overcrowding
Welfare
Infrastructure/Roads
Gun control
Nothing/No problems
Other
Not Sure/Refused/NA

-2-

17
10
7
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
4
7

5.

Would you rate the overall quality of public schools in California as excellent, good, only fair or poor?
Excellent
5
Good
34
Only Fair
39
Poor
16
(Don't Know)
6

6.

Would you rate the overall quality of public schools in your area as excellent, good, only fair or poor?
Excellent
17
Good
39
Only Fair
29
Poor
11
(Don't Know)
5

 EMC Research #16-6146

-3-

Have you seen or heard anything recently about [INSERT STATEMENT]?
SCALE:
Yes
No

(Don’t Know)

[RANDOMIZE]
7.

Common Core State Standards
46

8.

52

2

Changes in public school testing or assessments
39
59

2

[END RANDOMIZE]
I'm going to read you some possible reforms for California public schools. On a scale of one to seven, where
one is not at all important and seven is very important, please tell me how important each item is to you.
(PROMPT IF NEEDED) How important is that to you on a scale of one to seven, where one is not at all
important and seven is very important?
SCALE:

Not at all important
1
2

3

4

5

Very important
6
7

(Don’t
know)

Mean

0

5.65

[RANDOMIZE]
9.
10.

Increasing the use of computers and technology for all school subjects.
3
2
5
10
20
17

43

Using student assessments that have written response tasks rather than just multiple choice
questions.
3
2
2
9
24
22
38
2

5.70

11.

Aligning high school education with college preparation, so all students are prepared for college-level
work.
2
3
3
8
14
13
57
0
5.96

12.

Implementing learning goals that outline what all children should know at each grade level.
2
1
4
7
18
18
48
1

5.86

13.

Promoting critical thinking and pro-active problem solving skills needed for a competitive job market.
2
0
2
3
9
17
67
0
6.39

14.

Measuring students on reading and writing skills across all subjects, including math and science.
1
1
2
4
15
19
58
0
6.21

15.

Measuring the ability of students to describe and demonstrate how they solve problems.
2
1
2
7
16
22
48
1

5.93

Providing parents with detailed information on how their children are progressing.
2
0
2
4
9
16
66

0

6.33

Reducing the number of standardized tests students take in schools.
7
4
7
11
25
14

2

5.09

1

5.99

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

30

Raising standards so U.S. students can be more competitive with other countries.
3
1
3
5
17
15
55

Providing teachers and schools flexibility to determine what works best in their classrooms.
2
1
3
6
14
18
56
0

6.09

Providing teachers with information about how their students are performing so they can adjust or
give targeted help when needed.
2
0
3
4
13
15
61
1
6.22

 EMC Research #16-6146

SCALE:
21.

Not at all important
1
2

-4-

3

4

5

Very important
6
7

Checking in on all kids annually to measure academic progress.
2
2
3
7
16
16

54

(Don’t
know)

Mean

1

5.97

22.

Developing education standards based on conceptual understanding, skills, and problem solving,
rather than memorization.
2
1
2
5
14
20
55
1
6.12

23.

Implementing science education standards that emphasize critical thinking and investigation.
2
0
1
4
14
22
56
1

6.20

[END RANDOMIZE]
24.

As you may already know, California adopted the Common Core State Standards in 2010, which
established reliable and consistent learning goals in English language arts, literacy and math, outlined
what a student should know by the end of each grade, and implemented new annual tests for public
school students beginning at grade three.
Do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of Common
Core State Standards in California schools?
Strongly Favor
24
Somewhat Favor
39
Somewhat Oppose
18
Strongly Oppose
15
(Don’t Know)
4

 EMC Research #16-6146

-5-

Next I’m going to read a series of statements from SUPPORTERS of Common Core State Standards. After
each statement, please rate it on a scale of one to seven, where one is a not at all compelling reason to
SUPPORT the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools, and seven is a very compelling
reason to support the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools. (PROMPT IF NEEDED): How
compelling is that as a reason to SUPPORT the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools on
a scale from one to seven, where one is not at all compelling and seven is very compelling?
SCALE:

Not at all compelling
1
2

3

4

5

Very compelling
6
7

(Don’t
know)

Mean

[RANDOMIZE]
25.

The Common Core State Standards are designed to promote critical thinking and problem solving,
and they will help prepare students for college and productive careers in today’s workforce.
9
3
7
9
17
16
37
0
5.20

26.

The Common Core State Standards are simply a set of learning goals. They don’t dictate what’s
taught in classrooms—that’s up to educators. The new standards actually provide teachers more
choice in selecting their materials.
10
5
7
9
21
17
30
1
4.99

27.

The Common Core State Standards set a high bar for all students, which is needed to prepare them
for the competitive global job market.
11
4
6
11
19
15
32
1
4.99

28.

By setting clear expectations for students, the Common Core State Standards provide a clear
roadmap for parents and teachers so they can give students the support they need to succeed.
10
5
7
10
16
16
34
1

5.05

29.

The updated Common Core tests evaluate deeper subject understanding than the old tests, requiring
students to both answer each question and to explain how they got their answer.
10
4
6
9
20
18
30
2
5.07

30.

The Common Core State Standards are aligned with the new SAT, so they are the best way to prepare
students for that test and improve their college opportunities.
12
5
7
12
17
14
30
2
4.85

31.

Students who meet the Common Core State Standards will be ready for college-level work at the end
of their junior year, giving them a full year to improve their skills before college. This can save
students time, money and extra coursework in the early years of college.
11
4
7
9
15
16
37
0
5.10

32.

State and local leaders agree that the Common Core State Standards are good for kids and good for
California, with continued bipartisan support from policymakers who approved them in 2010 as well
as parents, teachers, and community leaders.
14
6
9
11
21
11
26
2
4.60

33.

The old standards were outdated and didn’t represent the skills that students need to be college and
career ready in the twenty-first century.
12
4
8
11
17
14
31
2
4.90

34.

The Common Core State Standards will help students learn what they need to know to succeed,
regardless of if they go to community college, four-year college, or straight into the workforce.
10
3
8
10
16
18
34
1

[END RANDOMIZE]

5.10

 EMC Research #16-6146

35.

-6-

Given what you’ve heard, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly
oppose the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools?
Strongly Favor
28
Somewhat Favor
39
Somewhat Oppose
16
Strongly Oppose
15
(Don’t Know)
3

Now I’m going to read a series of statements from OPPONENTS of Common Core State Standards. After each
statement, please rate it on a scale of one to seven, where one is a not at all compelling reason to OPPOSE
the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools, and seven is a very compelling reason to
oppose the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools. (PROMPT IF NEEDED): How
compelling is that as a reason to OPPOSE the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools on a
scale from one to seven, where one is not at all compelling and seven is very compelling?
SCALE:

Not at all compelling
1
2

3

4

5

Very compelling
6
7

(Don’t
know)

Mean

[RANDOMIZE]
36.

The Common Core State Standards are not developmentally appropriate for young children and hurt
at-risk student populations including special needs kids, English language learners, and other
disadvantaged students who were already struggling under the old standards.
12
8
9
11
15
12
31
2
4.74

37.

Parents of elementary school students can’t help with their kids’ homework anymore because the
work they bring home is too difficult or the questions don’t make sense.
20
9
8
10
14
10
28
3
4.33

38.

The transition to Common Core puts students at risk of low test scores and could hurt their chances
of getting into college.
15
9
11
12
16
13
22
2
4.36

39.

California’s previous standards had been in place for fifteen years and student test scores were going
up. There was never a need for these new standards in the first place.
18
9
10
13
16
11
21
2
4.21

40.

Common Core is a top-down federal program that tramples the local authority of states and local
school districts and puts schools under federal control.
18
8
9
9
17
10
28
2
4.44

41.

Teachers will lose their jobs and schools will be punished if students don’t do well on tests.
22
8
10
10
13
10
24
2

4.12

42.

Common Core contains too many standards for each grade level. There is no way regular education
students can master each standard in the short time allowed.
13
10
11
15
17
11
22
2
4.36

43.

Common Core is too rigid and limits the ability of teachers to adjust their teaching style to best fit the
individual children in their classrooms.
11
7
11
12
18
13
28
1
4.72

[END RANDOMIZE]

 EMC Research #16-6146

44.

-7-

Now, given everything you’ve heard, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or
strongly oppose the use of Common Core State Standards in California schools?
Strongly Favor
19
Somewhat Favor
36
Somewhat Oppose
23
Strongly Oppose
20
(Don’t Know)
3

Now I'd like to ask you a few questions for statistical purposes only.
45.

Are you the parent or guardian of any child 18 or under?
Yes
No
(Don’t Know/Refused)

29
71
0

[IF “Yes” IN Q45 (PARENT), ASK Q46-56; IF “No” or “Don’t Know/Refused” SKIP TO Q57]
For each of the following, please answer Yes or No. [SHOW ON EACH] (IF NECESSARY): These questions are
for statistical purposes. Please answer all of them to the best of your abilities even if they do not apply to
your children.
SCALE:

Yes

No

(Don’t Know/Refused)

that are not yet kindergarten age?
29

71

1

in kindergarten through fifth grade?
45

54

1

in sixth through eighth grade?
34

65

1

in ninth through twelfth grade?
41

59

1

Are you the parent or guardian of any children…
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.

in private or parochial kindergarten through high school?
18
80

2

who are homeschooled?
6

93

1

in charter school?
12

86

2

28

1

in public school?
71

[IF “Yes” IN Q45 (PARENT), ASK Q54; IF “No” or “Don’t Know/Refused” SKIP TO Q57]
54.
As far as you know, have you had any children who have taken the new Common Core standards
test, also known as the Smarter Balanced Assessment?
Yes
45
No
45
(Don’t Know/Refused)
10

 EMC Research #16-6146

-8-

[IF “Yes” IN Q54 (TAKEN TEST), ASK Q55; IF “No” or “Don’t Know/Refused” SKIP TO Q57]
55.
Do you recall receiving a score report as a result of your child’s participation in the new Common
Core standards tests?
Yes
75
No
23
(Don’t Know/Refused)
1
[IF “Yes” IN Q55 (RECEIVED SCORE REPORT), ASK Q56; IF “No” or “Don’t Know/Refused” SKIP TO Q57]
56.
Using a scale where one is very easy to understand, and seven is very difficult to understand, how
easy was it to understand the score report?
SCALE:

Very easy
1

2

3

4

5

Very difficult
6
7

35

12

7

7

18

8

(Don’t
know)

Mean

1

3.34

12

[RESUME ASKING ALL]
57.

Thinking about a political scale where one is very liberal and seven is very conservative, where would
you place yourself on that scale?

SCALE:

Very liberal
1
12

58.

59.

60.

2

3

4

5

10

14

15

21

Very conservative
6
7
11

(Don’t
know)

Mean

2

4.19

15

Are you or is any member of your family a member of a union or employee association?
(IF “YES” CLARIFY)
Yes, Self
Yes, Family member
Yes, Both
No/(Don’t Know/Refused)

11
14
7
68

Do you work in the education field?
Yes
No
(Don’t Know/Refused)

15
85
1

What is the last grade you completed in school? (DO NOT READ LIST)
Some Grade School
Some High School
Graduated High School/GED
Technical/Vocational
Some College
Graduated College/Bachelor’s/BA/BS
Graduate/Professional/Master’s/PhD/MBA
(Don't Know/Refused)

2
4
17
3
24
30
20
1

 EMC Research #16-6146

-9-

61.

Do you consider yourself to be African-American, white or Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, bi-racial, multiracial, or something else? (DO NOT READ LIST) [SINGLE PUNCH]
African-American/Black
5
Caucasian/White
51
Hispanic/Latino
21
Asian
8
Bi-racial/Multi-racial
6
Something Else
7
(Refused)
3

62.

In what year were you born? (DO NOT READ LIST)
1941 or earlier (75+)
1942-1946 (70-74)
1947-1951 (65-69)
1952-1956 (60-64)
1957-1961 (55-59)
1962-1966 (50-54)
1967-1971 (45-49)
1972-1976 (40-44)
1977-1981 (35-39)
1982-1986 (30-34)
1987-1991 (25-29)
1992-1998 (18-24)
(Refused)

10
6
6
11
8
7
9
6
7
9
6
13
3

THANK YOU!
REGION FROM SAMPLE
LA County
LA Area (excluding LA County)
SF Bay Area
San Diego
Central Coast
Central Valley
Sacramento/North

27
20
21
9
4
9
10

LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEW
English
Spanish

96
4