Most Americans happy with public schools

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Most parents with children in public schools through grade 12 want teacher pay to be based on the quality of their work and student performance, a poll says.

The Gallup poll said nearly 80 percent of those asked have trust and confidence in public school teachers, and 75 percent said teacher pay should be somewhat or closely tied to their own students' school performance.

The survey also found 67 percent of Americans would like their children to pick public education as a career, compared with 51 percent in 1990.

The survey said 28 percent of those questioned want teachers paid on a "standard scale," based on experience and education level. The survey said 25 percent of the respondents either didn't think pay should be tied to student achievement or shouldn't be closely tied to performance.

The annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup survey on the nation's schools was conducted in June. Phi Delta Kappa is a professional association for teachers. Results were compiled from telephone interviews with 1,008 adults nationally, ages 18 and older.