Parental involvement in school curriculum is huge election issue and favors GOP, poll says

More than three-quarters (76%) of New Jerseyans want to influence what their children are taught in public schools, according to a Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll released this morning.

With less than three weeks before the November 7 midterm elections, asking adult residents who are likely to vote about parental control over curriculum makes them six points more likely to support Republican legislative candidates and nine points less likely to support Democrats.

“Republican candidates are using these attacks because they work,” said Dan Cassino, the director of the FDU poll.  “If voters are thinking about parental control of schools when they go to the ballot box, Democrats are in real trouble.”

Statewide, 24% of New Jersey residents believe parents should choose what schools teach, and 52% think parents should have some influence; 22% don’t feel parents should be involved in curriculum issues.

Nearly nine in ten independents (89%) think parents should have some involvement in what is taught; the number jumps to 92% among Republicans and is at 59% among Democrats.  Almost seven in ten independents (69%) think parents should have some – but not all – influence over curriculum; 45% of Republicans think parents ought to be in full control, and 47% say just some.

The pollster says that priming residents to consider parental control issues does not substantially change their likelihood of voting. Still, it does affect who they will support – especially among New Jerseyans not affiliated with a  political party.

Without being asked about the role of parents in curriculum issues first, independents prefer Democratic candidates for Senate and Assembly by a 28%-8% margin, with 42% undecided.  But when the question is asked in advance of the ballot test, independents flip from a 20-point Democratic advantage to a 16-point edge for Republicans, 24%-8%, with 63% remaining undecided.

A generic statewide ballot gives Democrats a 37%-29% advantage over Republicans in races for the legislature, although most districts do not have competitive races.   But among independents, the generic ballot is a dead heat: 16% for Republicans and 18% for Democrats, with 53% still undecided.

Among all residents, those not asked about parental involvement first give Democrats a 42%-26% edge, but when primed, Democrats lead by just one percentage point, 33%-32%.

“This issue is doing a lot to move independents into the Republican column,” said Cassino. “The question, though, is whether those independent voters can be mobilized in what’s normally a very low turnout election.”

The FDU poll was conducted between October 6-14 with a sample size of 813 adult New Jersey residents and a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.