Education Resources

School kids

Time magazine-Oprah Winfrey Show Poll

In March 2006, Time magazine teamed up with The Oprah Winfrey Show to poll 1,000 Americans—of all ages, classes and races—about their views on the educational system and high school dropouts. How do your views compare?

1. Where do you think the United States ranks internationally when it comes to the quality of education we provide overall? Would you say that the United States is best when it comes to quality of education, in the top 5, top 10, top 20, or below that?
Best 3%
Top 5 25%
Top 10 29%
Top 20 22%
Below that 17%
No answer/don't know 3%

2. In general, what grade would you give public schools in the United States—an "A" for excellent, a "B", "C", "D" or a failing grade of "F"?
A (excellent) 5%
B 31%
C 44%
D 10%
F (failing grade) 7%
No answer/don't know 3%

3. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the public schools in this country?
Satisfied 39%
Dissatisfied 55%
No answer/don't know 6%


4. Do you think that public schools in this country are in a "crisis," or not?
In crisis 61%
Not in crisis 34%
No answer/don't know 5%