4/4: Tutorial Needed for Schools Chancellor Cathie Black

Controversial New York City Schools Chancellor Cathie Black hasn’t made the grade in the eyes of New York City adults.  According to this NY1-Marist Poll, Black’s job approval rating is 17%.  Included here are 2% of adults who say Black is doing an excellent job and 15% who believe she is doing a good one.  34% give Black fair grades while 27% rate her poorly.  23% are unsure how to rate Black or have never heard of her.

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Click Here for Complete April 4, 2011 NYC NY1-Marist Poll Release and Tables

Black continues to struggle with the New York City electorate.  Among registered voters citywide, Black’s approval rating stands at 17% which is down from when NY1-Marist reported this question in early February.  At that time, 21% of voters gave Black above average grades.

“Chancellor Black is still not on firm footing with New Yorkers,”says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.  “She’s somewhat better known, but not better graded.”

Table: New York City Schools Chancellor Cathie Black Approval Rating

New York City Schools Missing the Mark?

How are the New York City public schools performing?  Nearly four in ten residents — 38% — think the schools in their community are either excellent or good.  This includes 8% who believe they are excellent and 30% who say they are good.  34% perceive them to be fair while one in five — 20% — rate them poorly.  Eight percent are unsure.

The schools fair better among parents with children in the city’s public schools.  53% of public school parents give the schools either excellent or good marks.  35% rate them as fair while 12% believe they are performing poorly.

There is a racial divide.  45% of white residents rate the schools highly.  36% of Latino residents and 25% of African American residents agree.

Table: New York City Public Schools Rating

Less R-E-S-P-E-C-T for Teachers

Almost two-thirds of New York City residents — 65% — say that today’s public school teachers receive less respect than when they were in school.  One in five — 20% — think they garner the same amount of respect while 7% believe they get more.  Eight percent are unsure.

Table: Respect for Public School Teachers

Teachers Union: It’s All Good?

A majority of residents — 55% — say that, when thinking about the public school system in New York City, the teachers union does more good than harm.  35% disagree and believe that it does more harm than good.  Nine percent are unsure.

Younger New York City residents are more likely than older ones to think the union does more good than harm.  67% of Millennials and 56% of those in Gen X think this way compared with 51% of Baby Boomers and 43% of those in the Silent-Greatest generation.

Table: Teachers Union: More Good than Harm?

NFL Tackles UFT as Stronger Union

Half of New York City residents — 50% — believe professional football players, through the NFL Players Association, have a stronger union than do teachers through the United Federation of Teachers.  38% think the UFT is stronger, and 12% are unsure.

Table: Who Has the Stronger Union, Teachers or Football Players?

NY1-Marist Poll Methodology