Oklahomans back charter school expansion, say rural parents should have option

The latest edition of The Sooner Survey, Oklahoma’s leading polling publication produced by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, shows that Oklahomans embrace the statewide authorizing of charter schools. 

“While the study shows that many Oklahoma voters do not realize charter schools are public schools, they do believe that competition will improve public schools,” explained Pat McFerron, President of Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. “75 percent want rural communities to have the same option urban districts have,” McFerron continued. 

The survey of 500 registered voters in Oklahoma was conducted February 23-28, 2014 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percent. 

“Oklahomans are united in their support for school competition and for expanding charter schools,” McFerron stated. “One of the unique aspects of the school-choice dynamic is that it brings together groups that don’t always see eye-to-eye.  For example, Democrats who approve of Obama’s job performance and Tea Party advocate lead the charge in support for more charter schools.”

“Those who live in rural Oklahoma are the most supportive of allowing expansion (81 percent) as are those with a history of voting in Republican primaries,” McFerron stated.

“We hear people every day talk of concern for our education system and debate about what reforms are desired. Expansion of charter schools is one change where the public has widespread agreement,” McFerron concluded.

NOTE: Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates is a nationally recognized polling firm headquartered in Oklahoma. Now in its 26th year, the company has worked for Presidential, US Senate, Gubernatorial and Congressional clients throughout the nation. The firm has its own state-of-the-art calling facility and does all of its own interviewing.