Poll finds 48% disapproval of Snyder's education policy

(WXYZ) - A plurality of Michiganders aren’t happy with the direction education is headed in Michigan under Governor Rick Snyder’s administration. 

In an exclusive WXYZ/Detroit Free Press poll conducted by EPIC MRA for statewide media partners, 48-percent surveyed disapprove of Snyder’s education policies compared to 36-percent who approve of what he has done. 

Of the 600 people surveyed, a lot of the approval and disapproval fall along gender, political, and racial lines.  Men and Tea Party supporters generally like what Snyder has done, women generally dislike it, as well as African Americans and Hispanics.

During his first several months in office, Snyder and the Republican controlled Michigan Legislature cut funding for public schools and colleges, changed the way teachers are evaluated, made adjustments in how schools qualify for state funds based on teacher benefits, and lifted the cap on the number of charter schools.

The survey was conducted January 21 – 25, 2012 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4-percent.

READ THE POLL RESULT BELOW

Governor Snyder, with legislative support, has made a number of changes in the area of education in Michigan, including making cuts in funding public schools and colleges, changing the way public school teachers are evaluated for their job performance, changing the way public schools can qualify for additional state funds based on how teacher benefits are provided, as well as other changes. Based on what you know, overall, do you approve or disapprove of Governor Snyder’s education policies?

• Approve – 36%
• Disapprove – 48%
• Undecided – 16%