(The Center Square) – Polling from a private university in North Carolina says 6 in 10 state residents want an increase in funding, no change or only minor reductions to the U.S. Department of Education.
The agency created by the administration of President Jimmy Carter and on the chopping block of President Donald Trump has a mission “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal success,” according to its website. Trump, in a fact sheet released Thursday, says the department “does not directly educate students,” and since inception 45 years ago “has spent over $3 trillion without improving student achievement as measured by standardized National Assessment of Educational Progress scores.”
The Elon University Poll was done in partnership with McClatchy Media Company and polling firm YouGov. The sampling March 3-11 included 1,050 adults ages 18 and up, matched down to 800 for the final dataset. The margin of error, adjusted for weights, is +/- 4.04%.
In the analysis, 33% of respondents wanted to increase funding to the Education Department and 30% said no change or a minor reduction. The third choice of answers was to eliminate or a major reduction (25%).
The poll asked specifically about 14 departments. The Education Department was the lone one where the largest response was to increase funding. For the Department of Veterans Affairs, 35% wanted to increase funding, 42% wanted no change or a minor reduction, and 10% said to eliminate it or give a major reduction.
Between 35% and 52% said a minor reduction or no change for the Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Agency for International Development; public broadcasting meaning PBS and NPR; Environmental Protection Agency; FBI; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Department of the Interior; Department of Justice; Department of Defense; Department of Agriculture; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Weather Service.
The IRS (31%) and USAID (30%) were the only departments drawing a larger percentage for elimination or major reduction than did the Education Department. The smallest percentages seeking elimination or major reduction went to the VA (10%), NOAA (13%), USDA (13%) and the Department of Defense (13%).
“Our poll results suggest that Democratic efforts to rally public support around the Department of Education are having some impact in North Carolina,” said Jason Husser, director of the poll. “A large majority of Democrats and half of independents want to see funding for the department kept the same or increased.”
The poll says 51% distrust Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency when it comes to the best interests of the public. He’s trusted by 40%.
Asked if supportive or opposing “a program that provided undocumented immigrants living in the United States a pathway to become citizens if they meet certain requirements, such as a background check and paying any fines and taxes,” 63% gave support, 19% were opposed, 10% did not know, and 9% had no opinion.
Asked if state, county and local lawmen should assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws in churches, schools and hospitals, 41% said no, 40% said yes and 19% were unsure.
