February 28, 2002
Contact: Ted Apostol, President
WestGroup Research
(602) 707-0050 Office Phone
(602) 707-0055 Office Fax
ted@westgroupresearch.com
8 of 10 Valley Residents Want Patriotism Taught in School
Most Valley adults favor teaching some controversial topics in school - patriotism, ethics, morality, and black history.
Phoenix, AZ -- In the wake of recent debate about the rise in patriotic sentiment following the terror attacks, WestGroup Research of Phoenix conducted a study of 615 Valley adults about five topics that are or could be taught in public schools. The study, completed February 20th, showed that four of the five topics were favored by at least 80%: patriotism, ethics, morality, and black history. The only controversial topic of the five measured was Bible, which was favored by only 49% and opposed by 41%.
"I think it is encouraging that Valley residents want our children to be taught traditional American values. Some of our leaders are overly concerned about offending vocal opponents who are really in the minority," said Ted Apostol, President of WestGroup Research. "It is also important that our community wants to increase understanding of black Americans through teaching about black history."
"It really is not surprising that teaching Bible in public schools would be controversial, but I was surprised that more people favored than opposed the idea."
The study was conducted by WestGroup Research as a public service. WestTrack is a monthly survey of Arizona adults sponsored by Arizona companies and organizations.
Thinking about public schools in Arizona, do you favor or oppose teaching about _________? Would you say you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose?
All Adult Respondents Valleywide (n=615)
|
Strongly
Favor |
Favor
|
Oppose
|
Strongly
Oppose |
No
Opinion |
Total
Favor |
|
| Patriotism |
41%
|
50%
|
4%
|
1%
|
4%
|
91%
|
| Ethics |
40% |
50%
|
4%
|
1%
|
5%
|
90%
|
| Morality |
38%
|
46%
|
9%
|
2%
|
5%
|
84%
|
| Black History |
17%
|
63%
|
10%
|
3%
|
7%
|
80%
|
| Bible |
14%
|
35%
|
30%
|
11%
|
10%
|
49%
|
Parents of School Children Valley Wide (n=166)
|
Strongly
Favor |
Favor
|
Oppose
|
Strongly
Oppose |
No
Opinion |
Total
Favor |
|
| Patriotism |
40%
|
51%
|
4%
|
2%
|
3%
|
91%
|
| Ethics |
40% |
50%
|
7%
|
1%
|
2%
|
90%
|
| Morality |
23%
|
61%
|
5%
|
4%
|
7%
|
84%
|
| Black History |
41%
|
39%
|
10%
|
4%
|
6%
|
80%
|
| Bible |
19%
|
36%
|
25%
|
14%
|
6%
|
55%
|
