DENVER – One day after Gov. Jared Polis signed state-funded full-day kindergarten into law, a new poll shows that a majority of Colorado voters support the policy.
Magellan Strategies on Wednesday released poll findings on a number of Colorado education issues, including full-day kindergarten, which 61% of polled voters support, regardless of the cost to taxpayers.
More than a third (36%) of polled voters said they strongly support state-funded full-day Kindergarten.
The law, which Polis signed into law on Tuesday, will go into effect this upcoming school year.
Existing law only provides state funding for half-day kindergarten. Many school districts in Colorado offer full-day kindergarten but charge parents a fee.
The Magellan poll surveyed 731 registered voters in Colorado, and interviews were conducted online April 22 through May 1 and over the phone on May 8 and May 9.
Here were some other highlights of the poll:
• 58% of voters have a favorable opinion of Colorado public schools. Some of the reasons given for unfavorable opinions included lack of classroom funding, a negative learning environment for students and a perceived political agenda in schools.
• 67% of voters agree that school districts spend too much time preparing for and taking standardized tests.
• 75% of voters believe public school teachers are underpaid.
