A majority of likely voters support increasing funds for after-school program, according to a new poll commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance, which used the findings to urge newly elected lawmakers and Democratic President-elect Barack Obama to boost these resources in the coming year.
Nearly nine out of 10 likely registered voters said that after-school programs are important, given the dangers of modern society. Men’s intensity of support for after-school programs increased by 10 percent in 2008, with 63 percent “strongly” agreeing with the need for after school, compared with 53 percent in the alliance’s 2006 poll. Majorities of Democrats (94 percent), Independents (83 percent) and Republicans (71 percent) said they supported organized activities or safe places for children and teens to go when school is out.
Majorities of both Obama voters as well as those who voted for Republican Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) said they “strongly” backed after-school. Seventy-six percent of those polled said the incoming 111th Congress should increase after-school funding.
The alliance wants to see funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CLC), the main federal after-school program, more than doubled to its full authorization level of $2.5 billion. Three in four voters – or 76 percent – said that after-school programs are an “absolute” necessity for their communities.
The survey, conducted in early November by Lake Research Partners with analysis help from The Tarrance Group, reached 1,200 likely registered voters via landline phones and cell phones. The margin of error is +/- 2.8 percent.
Contact: Afterschool Alliance (202) 347-2030 or (866) KIDS-TODAY.
