Education

Oklahoma parents want the money to follow the child

September 17, 2019

Brandon Dutcher

Yet another scientific survey of Oklahoma voters has found strong support for parental choice in education:

This survey is the latest among many over the past five years which have measured Oklahomans’ views on various forms of private-school choice (vouchers, tax credits, education savings accounts, et al.). Here is the survey research that has shown support for school choice:

• Braun Research survey (registered Oklahoma voters), January 2014
• Tarrance Group survey (registered Oklahoma GOP primary voters), July 2014
• SoonerPoll survey (likely Oklahoma voters), January 2015
• Tarrance Group survey (registered Oklahoma voters), January 2015
• Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates survey (registered Oklahoma voters), December 2015
• SoonerPoll survey (likely Oklahoma voters), January 2016
• SoonerPoll survey (likely Oklahoma voters), July 2016
• Cor Strategies survey (likely Oklahoma voters), August 2017
• Cor Strategies survey (likely Oklahoma voters), May 2018
• WPA Intelligence survey (registered Oklahoma voters), January 2019
• WPA Intelligence survey (registered Oklahoma voters), April 2019
• Cor Strategies survey (likely Oklahoma voters), August 2019

And here is the survey research showing that Oklahomans oppose school vouchers (the survey didn't ask about tax credits or education savings accounts):

• Public Opinion Strategies survey (likely Oklahoma voters), March 2015

In short, we know that Oklahoma parents want options and they want the money to follow the child. So why doesn’t it? Political scientists can explain why—government employees are able to pick their politicians and keep kids trapped in an iron triangle—but that’s small consolation for the children who need options right now.