While a majority of Virginia’s voters believe the state’s public school system is good or excellent, similar numbers favor school choice reforms such as tax-credit scholarships, school vouchers, and charter schools. Fifty-five percent of likely voters would opt for schools other than regular public schools, according to the results of a public opinion survey released today by a diverse group of twenty one state and national education, business, religious and policy organizations.

The survey results found broad support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents for tax-credit scholarship and school voucher policies. Democrats indicate support for tax-credit scholarships (64%) and school vouchers (53%). They are more likely to favor rather than oppose these policies by +43 percentage points and +15 percentage points, respectively. Similar “favor-oppose gaps” were seen among Republicans (+46 tax-credit scholarships and +39 vouchers) and Independents (+44 tax-credit scholarships and +22 vouchers).

“These survey results confirm first and foremost that our parents want more choices and options in our educational system,” said Chris Braunlich, Vice President of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. “While Virginians do support our state’s public schools, it is also clear that they want more and different opportunities for the education of their children. For years, opponents of parental options have claimed that being for school choice means someone is against public schools. As this survey shows, that’s certainly not true. Simply put: One size does not fit all, and Virginians want more choices and more alternatives that will best respond to their children’s needs.”