Poll: Improving U.S. teacher quality is No. 1

The 2010 PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools Improving the quality of teachers should be the top national education priority, according to the annual survey by Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International, a professional education organization, and the Gallup Poll. Of paramount importance are recruting the best teacher candidates, providing professional development to help current and prospective teachers, using best teaching practices, and working to retain the best teachers while dismissing those who aren’t skilled or suited for the job. Other findings include Americans' support for

• college for all students

• fixing underperforming by providing comprehensive external support, not by firing teachers and principals or converting them to charter schools

• more money for schools

• changing the single salary schedule to pay public school teachers based on quality of work and improvements in student learning.

To learn more and find a link to the the full report, visit the PDK website.