May 13, 2009

5/13: 6 In 10 Want Schools Out of Bloomberg’s Hands

Although 51% of registered voters in New York City approve of the way Mayor Michael Bloomberg is handling the city’s public schools, six in ten believe the mayor should no longer run the city’s school system. Instead, they think the responsibility should be given to a citywide panel. 32% of voters, on the other hand, want the power to remain with Bloomberg.

©istockphoto.com/ChristSteer

So, does this mean voters think the quality of New York City’s public schools has gotten worse? Not necessarily. Compared with the proportion who thinks the schools have taken a turn for the worse, a larger proportion believes the schools have improved. 36% report the schools are on an upswing while 20% say they have deteriorated since Bloomberg has been mayor. A third — 33% — say the quality has remained about the same during his tenure.

Table: Bloomberg on Public Schools
Table: Control of Public Schools
Table: Quality of Public Schools

Marist Poll Methodology

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Complete May 13, 2009 NYC Poll Release and Tables