Education reformers are in the midst of a fierce debate over school vouchers and the future of public education in the U.S. — but the American people haven't joined them yet.

On Thin Ice, the latest in a series of Public Agenda surveys on education, is to our knowledge the most comprehensive examination of national attitudes about alternatives to public schools. We attempt to identify where the public's voice is clear, where it is uncertain, and where it is so muddled that it can give little reliable direction. School reformers, educators and policy makers should take careful heed: to predict the outcome of this debate by relying on public attitudes as they now stand is to skate on extremely thin ice.

It isn't that people are undecided as much as that they are unaware. The vast majority of the public knows very little about school vouchers, charter schools or for-profit schools. This lack of familiarity extends to both parents and nonparents, ordinary citizens and local civic leaders, and cuts across all lines of geography and demographics. With minor differences, it even extends to parents in areas where vouchers or charter schools have been in place for some time — Cleveland, Milwaukee, Michigan and Arizona.

Of course, it's quite common to find that the general public has less technical information on an issue than experts and policy makers. Often, however, the public has a firm grasp of the values that underlie a policy option. In the case of vouchers, we found that even the concept of using free market competition to improve schools was unfamiliar to most people. That does not mean that the public is satisfied with the current system or rejects the idea of vouchers. But most people are quite open in admitting they need to know more before making any decision.

The public's lack of focus does not mean that people don't care about how this debate is resolved or that their concerns do not merit consideration. In fact, this research suggests a challenging job for leaders in education, politics and the news media — bringing the debate to communities and families nationwide. This is no small task, but it is of fundamental importance. Our hope at Public Agenda is that On Thin Ice can serve as a guidepost for those who recognize the public's stake in this debate and are willing to "walk the extra mile" to invite the American people to join in it. (For specific suggestions, read our Afterword).

	Finding One: Some Catching Up to Do Most Americans know very little about vouchers, charter schools or for-profit schools, and most have a limited grasp of the essentials of the expert debate. Experts and advocates may hold carefully thought-out positions, but the public has barely begun to learn how these proposals might work. Even parents in areas with school choice policies in place are surprisingly unaware of the pros and cons of this debate.
	Finding Two: Vouchers: No Eureka, No Alarm Americans may — after they learn more about the idea — be open to vouchers, but they tend to see them as a limited solution (and a relatively modest one at that). Few see school vouchers as an ultimate lifeline for American families; nor do they fear them as the death knell of public education. Most people believe vouchers would benefit some students, but they also see possible drawbacks. After careful explanation, most seem positively disposed to the idea — particularly if other communities have served as guinea pigs — yet people generally see them as a partial solution at best.
	Finding Three: First Impressions Americans may want to learn more about vouchers, and they may even support the idea, but there are crucial differences between the way most of the public envisions the approach and most of the voucher programs now being tested and planned by advocates. At this time, the public's preferences are more instinctive than well-considered. But most would expand a voucher program to include all families, regardless of income, and to include religious schools. The public has almost no grasp of a pivotal issue in the debate over vouchers: Will increased competition spur the public schools to improve?
	Finding Four: Charter Schools: So Far, So Good The public knows even less about charter schools than about vouchers, but the more people learn, the more they like the idea. Most appreciate typical charter school features such as less regulation, special themes or educational approaches, and community involvement. This appreciation stems in part from the public's dissatisfaction with the bureaucracy they associate with traditional public schools. In the focus groups, people tended to assume that charter schools are "boutique" schools — small, specialized and similar to good private schools, but free of charge.
	Finding Five: Will Parents Shop Around? Regardless of whether Americans support or oppose ideas such as vouchers and charter schools, the research suggests that large numbers of parents may not be able or willing to behave as reform models predict. Most parents like the idea of having more educational options for their children, but when confronted with an expanded menu of schools, many may be driven by factors other than the search for academic excellence.
	Finding Six: No Gold Stars for the Status Quo Despite their lack of knowledge and mixed reactions to vouchers and charter schools, people are hardly endorsing the status quo. They have serious concerns about the public schools, even those in their own communities. Though most are not ready to dismantle the system, public frustration runs high, especially when it comes to school management and the slowness of reform. At this time, the public — more pragmatic than ideological in this domain — seems to be keeping its options open.

This Web presentation is only a summary of On Thin Ice. Complete print copies are also available for $10, plus $2.50 shipping and handling. Use our fax order form or call 212-686-6610.

For additional information, read our press release, visit our online issue guide on education, or our companion print publication, Public Schools: Is There a Way to Fix Them?

Funding for On Thin Ice was provided by The Charles A. Dana Foundation, a private, philanthropic, nonprofit organization with particular interests in health and education.