Wisconsin Parents Are Clear: They Have Rights

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2022

 

Likely Wisconsin voters leave little doubt about the rights they believe parents should have when it comes to the schooling of the state’s children. Their views clash sharply with the Democratic Party official and state legislator who said parents wanting “to have a say” should home school or pay tuition at private schools.

“Parents with diverse political leanings find common ground when it comes to their rights in the K-12 school world,” said Nic Kelly, President of School Choice Wisconsin. Kelly cited results from a random, scientific survey of 700 likely voters for SCW.

The survey was conducted between February 13th and 16th by OnMessage Inc., a national public opinion research firm. OnMessage was recognized by the American Association of Political Consultants as “Pollster of the Year” in 2019. The survey polled an equal number of those who identified as Democrats or Republicans. Fifteen per cent of those surveyed identified as independents.

Below is a series of questions addressing the issue of parent rights.

 

Right to Engage with School Officials

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH EACH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS. “PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENGAGE AND HAVE THEIR CONCERNS HEARD WITH LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THEIR CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING, INCLUDING REGULARLY SCHEDULED SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.”

91.9% AGREE
5.1% DISAGREE
3.0% Don’t Know/REFUSED

Right To Review Instructional Material

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH EACH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS. “PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVIEW THEIR CHILDREN’S INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND OUTLINES USED BY THE SCHOOL THEY ARE ATTENDING.”

77.3% AGREE
19.1% DISAGREE
3.7% Don’t Know/REFUSED

Right to Opt-Out

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH EACH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS. “PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN OPT-OUT OF A CLASS OR INSTRUCTION FOR REASONS BASED ON EITHER RELIGION OR PERSONAL CONVICTION.”

61.2% AGREE
34.0% DISAGREE
4.8% Don’t Know/REFUSED

Right to Choose School

PLEASE TELL ME IF YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH EACH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS. “WISCONSIN PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE BEST FOR THEM RATHER THAN BEING FORCED TO ATTEND SCHOOLS BASED SOLELY ON WHERE THEY LIVE.”

73.8% AGREE
22.0% DISAGREE
4.2% Don’t Know/REFUSED

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SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This survey was conducted by OnMessage Inc. in Wisconsin. Telephone interviews were conducted on February 13-16. This survey consists of 700 likely voters and was stratified to reflect historical voter trends and the margin of error is +/- 3.70%.