Copyright 2010 September 2 - 12, 2010 300 UWS voters w.

an oversample of 100 parents

Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey 2280 Margin of Error: +/- 5.7%

S1. Are you at least 18 years old and registered to vote Tot Prime Parents
at this address [READ ADDRESS]? Yes .................................................................................. 100% 100% 100%
No .................................................................................... - - -
VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... - - -

S2. Do you currently work as a member of the news Tot Prime Parents
media, for an elected official or candidate for political Yes .................................................................................. - - -
No .................................................................................... 100 100 100
office in any capacity? VOL: (Don't Know/Refused) ..................................................... - - -

1.We are interested in talking to a mix of New Yorkers Tot Prime Parents
today. Do you currently live between 72nd Street and Yes .................................................................................. 100% 100% 100%
No .................................................................................... - - -
110th Street on the West Side of Manhattan? Don't know/Refused ........................................................ - - -

2. How long have you lived in your neighborhood? Tot Prime Parents
More than 10 years ......................................................... 64% 79% 55%
5 to 10 years .................................................................... 19 11 25
3 to 5 years ...................................................................... 8 5 8
1 to 3 years ...................................................................... 8 6 10
Less than 1 year .............................................................. 2 1 3
VOL: (Don't Know/Refused) ..................................................... - - -

S3. As you may know, there will be an election for Tot Prime Parents
Governor, United States Senator and other state offices Definitely .......................................................................... 74% 91% 72%
Probably .......................................................................... 15 8 20
in November. How likely are you to vote in that election: Chances are 50-50 .......................................................... 7 2 6
Will you definitely vote, probably vote, are the chances Probably not vote............................................................. 2 - 1
50-50, will you probably not vote, or will you definitely Definitely not vote ............................................................ 2 - 1
not vote? VOL: (Don't Know/Refused) ..................................................... 1 - -

3. What would you say is the most important First Tot Prime Parents
issue or problem facing your neighborhood? Schools/education ........................................................... 15% 27% 28% 49%
Economy generally.......................................................... 16 24 25 29
Housing/foreclosures ...................................................... 10 17 22 13
Infrastructure/roads/transportation .................................. 8 17 14 13
Jobs/unemployment ........................................................ 10 17 20 16
Crime/drugs/guns ............................................................ 5 9 8 10
Taxes .............................................................................. 3 5 3 8
Health care/health insurance/Medicare .......................... 2 5 6 2
The environment ............................................................. 1 4 2 *
Security/terrorism/Wars/Iraq ........................................... 1 4 3 5
Ethics/corruption/government reform .............................. 3 3 3 5
Budget/finances/government spending........................... 1 2 2 5
Morals/values .................................................................. 1 1 1 -
Immigration/illegal immigration ....................................... * * * 1
Gas prices/cost of energy ............................................... - * - 1
Other ............................................................................... 4 10 8 6
No/none/nothing .............................................................. 7 12 12 5
Don't know/Refused ........................................................ 14 19 18 16

Now I'm going to read you a list of organizations. For each, please tell me if you have a strongly favorable, somewhat favorable,
somewhat unfavorable, or strongly unfavorable opinion of them. If you haven't heard of them, please say so and we'll move on.

FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET

Strong Some Some Strong (CR) NH (DK/Ref.) FAV UNFAV FAM
! New York City charter schools ............................. 22% 37 9 8 16 5 4 58% 17 75
Prime 20% 33 12 10 17 5 4 52% 22 75
Parents 26% 37 9 9 12 4 3 63% 18 81

! New York City public school system .................. 12% 38 23 14 8 1 3 51% 37 88

Prime 13% 43 22 13 7 1 2 56% 35 90
Parents 14% 38 24 14 6 2 2 53% 38 91
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 2/7

6.What would you say is the biggest issue or First Tot Prime Parents
problem facing New York City's public schools? Not enough funding ......................................................... 22% 34% 38% 36%
Overcrowded classrooms................................................ 16 29 31 36
Ineffective teachers ......................................................... 15 25 29 22
Poor administration/weak management.......................... 6 14 12 11
Not enough quality schools generally ............................. 4 8 6 11
Lack of parental involvement .......................................... 4 7 7 4
Teachers' Union .............................................................. 4 7 5 10
Low student achievement ............................................... 4 6 9 3
Not enough quality schools in my neighborhood/the
Upper West Side ............................................................. 2 5 3 9
Too much testing/teaching to the test/ineffective tests ... 2 5 8 6
Curriculum ....................................................................... 1 5 6 2
School violence ............................................................... 2 5 3 4
Lack of accountability ...................................................... 2 5 4 4
Outdated equipment and school buildings...................... 1 4 4 4
Weak graduation standards/students graduating
unprepared for college .................................................... 1 3 5 3
Student discipline ............................................................ 2 3 * 2
Students dropping out or not graduating on time............ 1 3 2 *
Lack of gifted and talented programs.............................. 1 2 * 3
Charter Schools .............................................................. 1 1 1 1
Other ............................................................................... 2 5 5 8
Don't know/Refused ........................................................ - * - -

7. If you were giving out grades like on a report card, Tot Prime Parents
what grade would you give public schools in your A ...................................................................................... 6% 9% 11%
B ...................................................................................... 34 37 37
neighborhood for the job they are doing educating C ...................................................................................... 26 26 23
students - an A, B, C, D, or F? D ...................................................................................... 7 4 8
F ...................................................................................... 4 2 4
VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 23 22 17

GPA ................................................................................. 2.42 2.59 2.51

Because some people are more familiar with charter schools than others, I would like to read you a definition and get your opinion.

Charter schools are independently managed public schools that receive taxpayer dollars and are open to all students. They are not
private schools and they do not charge tuition. They are independent from the New York City Department of Education when it comes to
developing curricula and hiring decisions. Charter schools are bound by a contract with the state that lays out the school's mission and
goals and are held accountable for their school's performance.

8.Now that you have more information, do you have a Tot Prime Parents
favorable or unfavorable impression of charter schools Strongly favorable............................................................ 37% 31% 40%
Somewhat favorable........................................................ 35 34 32
in New York State? [IF FAVORABLE/UNFAVORABLE] Is Somewhat unfavorable.................................................... 9 13 10
that strongly or somewhat favorable/unfavorable? Strongly unfavorable ....................................................... 9 12 9
VOL: (Don't Know/Refused) ..................................................... 10 9 8

FAVORABLE (NET) ........................................................ 72% 66 73

UNFAVORABLE (NET) ................................................... 18 26 19

Success Academy Charter Network, a not-for-profit organization, seeks to open a new charter school serving grades K through 8 on the
Upper West Side of Manhattan.

9. Do you support or oppose opening a new Success Tot Prime Parents

Academy charter school serving grades K through 8 on Strongly support .............................................................. 43% 29% 51%
Somewhat support........................................................... 27 30 19
the Upper West Side of Manhattan? [IF Somewhat oppose........................................................... 8 11 4
SUPPORT/OPPOSE] Is that strongly or somewhat Strongly oppose............................................................... 10 15 12
support/oppose? VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 13 15 13

SUPPORT (NET)............................................................. 69% 59 70

OPPOSE (NET) ............................................................... 18 26 16
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 3/7

The new charter school would share a building with a traditional public school.

10. Knowing this, do you support or oppose opening a Tot Prime Parents
new Success Academy charter school serving grades K Strongly support .............................................................. 32% 23% 33%
Somewhat support........................................................... 27 29 26
through 8 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan? [IF Somewhat oppose........................................................... 10 10 9
SUPPORT/OPPOSE] Is that strongly or somewhat Strongly oppose............................................................... 17 25 19
support/oppose? VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 14 13 13

SUPPORT (NET)............................................................. 59% 52 59

OPPOSE (NET) ............................................................... 27 35 27

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

AGREE DISAGREE NET

Strong Some Some Strong (DK/Ref.) AGREE DISAGREE
! [IF CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME] Upper West Side parents need
better options. Private school is too expensive and gifted and
talented programs are too hard to get into. ......................................... 67% 18 7 4 4 85% 11
Prime 66% 18 12 2 2 84% 13
Parents 67% 18 7 4 4 85% 11

! A charter school in my neighborhood would benefit Upper

West Siders who need more affordable, high quality education
options for their children. .......................................................................... 46% 27 9 11 7 73% 21
Prime 38% 27 12 17 7 65% 28
Parents 54% 22 7 11 5 77% 19

! There are not enough high quality public schools on the Upper
West Side to meet demand. ..................................................................... 51% 21 9 3 14 73% 13
Prime 53% 24 8 5 11 76% 13
Parents 65% 16 9 2 8 81% 11

14. Some traditional public schools share space in their Tot Prime Parents
building with a charter school. Which of the following Charter schools and traditional public schools should
be housed in completely separate buildings. .................. 21% 24% 21%
comes closest to your opinion when it comes to this While not ideal, charter schools and traditional public
issue? schools should be housed in the same building when it
is financially necessary or there is unused space. .......... 21 17 24
Charter schools and public schools can benefit from
each other and share limited resources when they are
housed in the same building............................................ 17 16 14
We need more high quality options for students, and
new charter schools should be put wherever they can,
even if they must share a building with a traditional
public school. ................................................................... 29 29 32
VOL: (None).............................................................................. 4 7 5
VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 7 7 5

Now I am going to read you a list of benefits some people believe charter schools provide in New York City. For each, item I read,
please tell me if you believe it is a major benefit, somewhat of a benefit, or not a benefit of charter schools in New York City.

Major Not a
benefit Somewhat benefit (DK/Ref.)
! Provide students more individualized attention ..................................................................................... 62% 18 11 9
Prime 58% 19 16 8
Parents 62% 17 10 10

! [FORM B] Set high academic standards for students ............................................................................ 61% 17 13 9

Prime 50% 20 20 10
Parents 58% 23 15 4

! Have more flexibility when it comes to curriculum and hiring decisions than traditional
public schools .................................................................................................................................................... 61% 21 12 6
Prime 58% 22 15 5
Parents 58% 27 11 4

! Require high parental involvement ............................................................................................................ 59% 22 11 7

Prime 59% 20 16 5
Parents 53% 25 12 10
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 4/7

Now I am going to read you a list of benefits some people believe charter schools provide in New York City. For each, item I read,
please tell me if you believe it is a major benefit, somewhat of a benefit, or not a benefit of charter schools in New York City.

Major Not a
benefit Somewhat benefit (DK/Ref.)
! [FORM A] Provide high quality public education ..................................................................................... 59% 21 11 9
Prime 51% 22 17 10
Parents 56% 21 13 10

! Provide educational opportunities for African-American and Latino students ............................. 58% 23 12 7
Prime 55% 22 17 6
Parents 59% 21 13 8

! Hire and promote excellent teachers ........................................................................................................ 57% 20 12 11

Prime 53% 20 15 11
Parents 62% 15 11 12

! Provide educational opportunities for middle-income families ......................................................... 57% 23 15 5

Prime 49% 25 21 5
Parents 61% 22 13 5

! Prepare students for admission to top colleges .................................................................................... 56% 23 14 7

Prime 51% 21 20 8
Parents 52% 29 11 8

! Provide alternatives to gifted and talented programs, which are limited in number and hard
for most families to get into ........................................................................................................................... 55% 23 16 5
Prime 49% 25 22 4
Parents 51% 28 16 5

! [FORM B] Are more accountable for their performance than traditional public schools ............ 48% 26 17 9
Prime 39% 28 26 7
Parents 50% 24 21 5

! Set an example of how to improve public education in the city ....................................................... 48% 29 17 7
Prime 38% 34 21 7
Parents 48% 28 17 6

! [FORM A] Can be shut down if they are not performing as expected .............................................. 48% 31 17 4
Prime 47% 30 22 2
Parents 47% 29 17 7

! Outperform traditional public schools ....................................................................................................... 38% 25 19 17

Prime 29% 26 27 18
Parents 35% 28 19 18

Now I'd like to read you some statements made by people who support opening a new Success Academy Charter School on the Upper
West Side. For each, please tell me whether it is a very convincing reason, a somewhat convincing reason, not that convincing or not a
convincing reason at all to support opening a new Success Charter School on the Upper West Side. If you do not think the statement is
accurate, please say so.

NOT
CONVINCING CONVINCING NET
Not Not at Not NOT
Very Some that all accurate (DK/Ref.) CONV CONV
! [FORM A] Success Academy students outperform traditional
public school students. The first Success Academy is in the
top 1% of schools in New York State for science, reading, and
math. One hundred percent of students passed state science
tests, including ninety percent who received top marks............... 53% 23 4 8 5 7 76% 12
Prime 46% 24 3 9 8 10 71% 12
Parents 50% 22 5 7 7 9 72% 12

! Upper West Side parents deserve better, more affordable

options for their families. There are only a few good public
schools in the area and they are very hard to get into. Most
parents must choose between paying more than $30,000 a
year in private school tuition or moving out of the city to
ensure their child gets a quality education. ...................................... 45% 26 9 10 4 6 72% 19
Prime 40% 24 12 12 6 5 65% 25
Parents 51% 26 6 8 5 4 77% 14
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 5/7

Now I'd like to read you some statements made by people who support opening a new Success Academy Charter School on the Upper
West Side. For each, please tell me whether it is a very convincing reason, a somewhat convincing reason, not that convincing or not a
convincing reason at all to support opening a new Success Charter School on the Upper West Side. If you do not think the statement is
accurate, please say so.

NOT
CONVINCING CONVINCING NET
Not Not at Not NOT
Very Some that all accurate (DK/Ref.) CONV CONV

! Parents make a huge difference in their child's education.

Success Academy charter schools work hard to involve
parents in the education process and are successful in their
efforts. Parents are given frequent updates of their child's
progress and have cell phone numbers for school staff.
Teachers and staff work closely with the entire family to
achieve the highest levels of student learning possible. .............. 43% 35 6 9 2 5 78% 15
Prime 42% 30 6 14 3 5 71% 20
Parents 45% 31 8 9 2 5 76% 16

! Success Academy charter schools are public schools run like

private schools. Success students are taught by the best
teachers from around the country, their progress is assessed
every 8 weeks, and children receive individualized attention to
ensure they are challenged at the appropriate level. A
Success Academy charter school provides a private school
experience for free. ................................................................................... 42% 31 8 10 4 5 73% 18
Prime 35% 27 9 15 7 8 62% 24
Parents 41% 30 10 10 5 4 71% 20

! [FORM B] Success Academy students outperform traditional

public school students. The first Success Academy is in the
top 1% of schools in New York State for science, reading, and
math. Success students outperformed schools on the Upper
East and Upper West Sides of Manhattan and in Scarsdale.
Success students even outperformed students at the
Anderson School, an Upper West Side school for gifted and
talented students. ...................................................................................... 42% 24 7 8 5 14 66% 15
Prime 37% 23 9 10 7 15 59% 18
Parents 46% 18 9 11 6 10 64% 20

! Success Academy charter schools have the freedom and

flexibility to implement programs and curriculum that meet
individual student needs. They provide a longer school day so
students can spend more time learning. They encourage
parents to be more involved in their child's education.
Success Academy charter schools are teaching lessons
about how we can improve all schools in New York. .................... 41% 32 7 11 4 5 73% 19
Prime 33% 32 9 14 6 7 65% 23
Parents 39% 36 7 9 4 6 75% 16

! Good public schools on the Upper West Side are few and far
between and face severe overcrowding. Even children who
qualify for gifted and talented programs cannot get into these
programs because there are not enough spots. Success
Academy will provide another high quality option for parents
who cannot get their children into the schools they want. ........... 41% 31 6 11 6 5 72% 17
Prime 33% 30 8 15 8 6 63% 23
Parents 45% 30 5 8 6 5 75% 14

! Success Academy charter schools are focused on preparing

students for a highly competitive college admissions process
and entrance into top colleges. They set high expectations for
every student and put students at a young age on a path
toward college by inspiring a love of learning and academic
dedication..................................................................................................... 40% 32 8 11 3 6 72% 19
Prime 36% 30 9 15 3 7 66% 24
Parents 40% 27 11 11 3 7 67% 22
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 6/7

Now I'd like to read you some statements made by people who support opening a new Success Academy Charter School on the Upper
West Side. For each, please tell me whether it is a very convincing reason, a somewhat convincing reason, not that convincing or not a
convincing reason at all to support opening a new Success Charter School on the Upper West Side. If you do not think the statement is
accurate, please say so.

NOT
CONVINCING CONVINCING NET
Not Not at Not NOT
Very Some that all accurate (DK/Ref.) CONV CONV
! This is a community school serving local students and
families that the community can be proud of. This school is
being created to meet the specific educational needs of
Upper West Side families. Programs designed on site will
include hands-on and experiment-based science, writing,
geography, social studies, chess, dance, sports, and art............ 39% 35 6 10 2 8 73% 16
Prime 35% 33 6 13 3 10 68% 19
Parents 41% 36 6 8 3 7 76% 14

! The most important part of a good education is a good

teacher. Success Academy teachers are highly talented and
highly experienced. They are innovators and problem-solvers.
They are given the time and resources to collaborate with
other high quality teachers. Success Charter teachers work to
ensure a top-notch public education for students. ......................... 37% 34 8 11 3 7 71% 19
Prime 32% 33 6 15 6 9 65% 21
Parents 39% 32 8 10 2 9 71% 18

39. Sometimes during the course of a survey like this, Tot Prime Parents
people change their minds. Once again, do you support Strongly support .............................................................. 46% 38% 47%
Somewhat support........................................................... 23 21 20
or oppose opening a new Success Academy charter Somewhat oppose........................................................... 5 7 6
school serving grades K through 8 on the Upper West Strongly oppose............................................................... 17 23 16
Side of Manhattan? The new school would share a VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 9 11 11
building with a traditional public school. [IF
SUPPORT (NET)............................................................. 69% 59 67
SUPPORT/OPPOSE] Is that strongly or somewhat
OPPOSE (NET) ............................................................... 22 30 22
support/oppose?

Finally I'd like to ask you some questions for statistical purposes only.

40. No matter how you are voting this year, when it Tot Prime Parents
comes to politics, do you generally think of yourself as a Strong Democrat ............................................................. 46% 67% 44%
Not very strong Democrat ............................................... 10 8 9
Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or something Independent Democrat .................................................... 13 9 13
else? [IF DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN] Would you call Independent..................................................................... 14 5 12
yourself a strong [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN] or a not very Independent Republican ................................................. 2 - 6
strong [DEMOCRAT/REPUBLICAN]? [IF INDEPENDENT] Do Not very strong Republican ............................................. 1 - 1
Strong Republican ........................................................... 4 * 4
you think of yourself as closer to the Democratic Party VOL: (Something else/Other) ................................................... 4 1 3
or the Republican Party? VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 6 9 7

DEMOCRAT (NET) ......................................................... 69% 85 67

INDEPENDENT (NET) .................................................... 18 6 15
REPUBLICAN (NET) ....................................................... 7 * 11

D101. What is your age? Tot Prime Parents

18-24 ............................................................................... 4% - 1%
25-29 ............................................................................... 7 3 2
30-34 ............................................................................... 7 4 10
35-39 ............................................................................... 9 4 15
40-44 ............................................................................... 11 9 21
45-49 ............................................................................... 9 10 17
50-54 ............................................................................... 8 9 15
55-59 ............................................................................... 9 10 5
60-64 ............................................................................... 7 12 2
65-69 ............................................................................... 5 7 1
70+................................................................................... 16 23 1
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 7 9 9
Global Strategy Group 2280 Success Charter – UWS Voter Survey Page 7/7

D102. What is the last grade that you completed in Tot Prime Parents
school? Some grade school ......................................................... * - -
Some high school ............................................................ 5 3 2
Graduated high school .................................................... 5 5 1
Technical/Vocational ....................................................... 1 - *
Some college ................................................................... 13 7 12
Graduated from a four-year college ................................ 29 27 35
Masters or post-graduate degree .................................... 44 51 45
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 4 7 5

41. Are you or is any member of your household a Tot Prime Parents
member or retiree of a teachers' union? Respondent belongs ....................................................... 10% 15% 4%
Household member belongs ........................................... 4 7 3
No member ...................................................................... 82 72 89
VOL: (Don't know/Refused) ...................................................... 4 7 4

D108. In terms of your job status, are you employed, Tot Prime Parents
unemployed but looking for work, retired, a student, or a Employed......................................................................... 56% 54% 76%
Unemployed .................................................................... 8 6 5
homemaker? Retired ............................................................................. 23 32 4
Student ............................................................................ 4 - 2
Homemaker ..................................................................... 3 1 7
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 6 7 6

D107. Do you have any children under the age of 18 Tot Prime Parents
living at home with you? Yes .................................................................................. 31% 25% 100%
No .................................................................................... 69 75 -
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... - - -

Q42. [IF CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME] How old is your Parents

child/are your children ages 18 or younger? If you have
more than one child living at home with you, please tell
me the age of each child.
VOL:
Under 5 years old ............................................................ 37%
5 - 10 years old ................................................................ 37
11 - 13 years old .............................................................. 16
14+ years old ................................................................... 24
(Refused) ......................................................................... 13

Q43. [IF CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 18] Do your children/does Parents

your child attend a public school, a private or parochial Public school ................................................................... 62%
Private or parochial school .............................................. 40
school, a charter school, or are they home schooled? Charter school ................................................................. 1
[ACCEPT MULTIPLE RESPONSES] Home schooled................................................................ -
VOL: (No school-age children) ................................................. -
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 1

D110. What is your current marital status? Tot Prime Parents

Married ............................................................................ 42% 41% 78%
Not married, but living with partner.................................. 4 3 1
Single, never married ...................................................... 34 31 10
Divorced or separated ..................................................... 8 9 6
Widowed .......................................................................... 8 10 *
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 5 7 5

D300. And just to make sure we have a representative Tot Prime Parents
sample, could you please tell me your race? [IF Black/African-American ................................................... 12% 11% 8%
White/Caucasian ............................................................. 65 69 64
BLACK/WHITE/OTHER] Do you consider yourself a Hispanic/Latino ................................................................ 11 7 13
Hispanic, Latino or Spanish-speaking American? Asian-American ............................................................... 3 2 4
Other (SPECIFY) ............................................................. 2 - 2
VOL: (Refused) ......................................................................... 8 11 8

Party Registration [FROM SAMPLE] Tot Prime Parents

Democrat ......................................................................... 73% 100% 64%
Independent..................................................................... 19 - 23
Republican....................................................................... 9 - 14

Region [FROM SAMPLE] Tot Prime Parents

Assembly District 67 ....................................................... 48% 41% 56%
Assembly District 69 ........................................................ 52 59 44

Gender [BY OBSERVATION] Tot Prime Parents

Male ................................................................................. 43% 41% 49%
Female............................................................................. 57 59 51