Poll: New Jerseyans Split On Charter Schools
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (CBSNewYork) - A new poll finds New Jersey voters are split on whether the state should continue adding more charter schools.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney: Blacks More Supportive Of Public Schools
Podcast
But the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released Thursday also shows they oppose using public money for vouchers to send children to private schools.
The poll tested two key parts of Gov. Chris Christie's plans to overhaul the state's education system.
It found 44 percent of respondents support more charters, which use public money but operate outside traditional school districts. But 42 percent say New Jersey has enough of them already.
LINK: Detailed Poll Results (PDF)
Among blacks surveyed, however, there was clear support for adding more charter schools.
"52 percent favor increasing the number of charter schools," poll director David Redlawsk told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney, noting that most of black respondents live in urban areas. "What we think is going on here is clearly a reflection on the differences in how the schools in those areas - traditional schools - are viewed."
Meanwhile, voters oppose vouchers by a 53-42 margin.
Christie's supporters were more likely to support charter schools and vouchers, as were black voters.
The poll of 773 randomly selected voters was conducted March 28 to April 4. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
