Monday Poll results: Mixed feelings on schools

Readers appear optimistic about the prospect of a new superintendent at Kansas City Public Schools. And they seem sharply divided over the creation of charter schools.

A majority of respondents worry about long-term damage to schools as a result of the Kansas budget crisis.

Those are some takeaways from our weekly unscientific poll. Results this week are based on more than 250 responses.

1) The choice of new superintendent Mark Bedell gives me hope that student performance will improve in Kansas City Public Schools.

Strongly agree 13%

Somewhat agree 42%

Somewhat disagree 31%

Strongly disagree 14%

2) The Kansas budget crisis is causing long-term damage to public schools in the state.

Strongly agree 76%

Somewhat agree 7%

Somewhat disagree 7%

Strongly disagree 9%

3) Legislators in Missouri and Kansas should make it easier to start charter schools.

Strongly agree 32%

Somewhat agree 19%

Somewhat disagree 17%

Strongly disagree 32%

4) It’s good news that a new federal law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, curtails mandatory testing.

Strongly agree 34%

Somewhat agree 36%

Somewhat disagree 19%

Strongly disagree 10%