New Poll by UMW: “Large number of Virginians” Think Local Schools “doing an excellent or at least a good job”; “Youngkin’s net approval score of plus 15 was somewhat lower than that of former Gov. Ralph Northam” (who was at +31 at the same point)

According to a new poll by the University of Mary Washington, despite Youngkin’s constant bashing of Virginia public schools, “Only 16 percent of Virginians gave their local school districts unsatisfactory letter grades (D or F)” (compared to 40% who give them an A or B). As Prof. Stephen Farnsworth said, “This survey demonstrates, once again, that the loudest voices at school board meetings are unrepresentative of overall public opinion in the commonwealth….The large number of Virginians who say that their local schools are doing an excellent or at least a good job suggests that the governor would be wise to tap the brakes on some of his more controversial plans to re-shape public education.”

Also: “When asked about the governor’s level of control over education, 41 percent said he should have less power to control education and 25 percent said he should have the same level of power he has now. Only 17 percent of those surveyed favored more gubernatorial power over public-school education in Virginia.”

And finally: “Youngkin’s net approval score of plus 15 was somewhat lower than that of former Gov. Ralph Northam, who during his first year had a plus 31 net approval rating in the September 2018 UMW statewide survey.”