In spite of the vital role communities can play, few Americans perceive others in their community as taking an active role in improving the quality of life or schools in their neighborhoods. In fact, a quarter of Americans say their communities take only a little or no responsibility for quality schools. Today, to strive for quality public education is to strive for every child and expect high achievement from all young people, teachers, and schools. Yet the reform movement is in danger of leaving students behind unless we utilize the untapped potential of the community. Now is the time to challenge communities to step up to the plate in order to hold them accountable for their responsibility to quality public education.
Public education is the public's responsibility.
Broad public action is absolutely necessary, particularly for schools educating the largest percentages of disadvantaged young people. According to the poll, the public says they have limited time to be involved in strengthening public education. Nearly seven in 10 Americans say they have zero to three hours a week to help improve the quality of education in their communities. About two-thirds of citizens say they are more likely to take actions that require little commitment, including voting or signing a petition. More than six in 10 Americans would vote against elected officials who want to make cuts in education.