The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government has released a national survey of 1000 adults. The Poll covered concerns over terrorism and attacks, concern about mass shootings, views on terror succeeding in creating a climate of fear, views on arming citizens to reduce damage from acts of terror and terror fears among children.
[pullquote]
Most support closing public schools whenever threatened out of an abundance of caution;
Large majority of parents/caregivers will consider campus security in college/university selection decisions
[/pullquote]
Respondents, reminded of recent public school closings in Los Angeles due to an email terror threat, were asked which of two approaches to closing schools they would select. Nearly one-half, 47.5%, indicated public schools should be closed whenever threatened out of an abundance of caution while 38.5% suggested public schools should remain open unless, and until, designated law enforcement professionals decide a threat is credible.
According to parents or caregivers, concern over terrorism is on the increase among children. More than three-quarters, 76.3%, suggested that expressions of concern has increased significantly (37.5%) or somewhat (38.7%) over the past year.
Just over one-half of all respondents with children in their care, 56.5%, reported they have an Emergency Action Plan in place.
These same parents or caregivers noted that campus security would be strongly considered when making college/university selection decisions. A large majority, 84.4%, noted that they would very strongly (52.3%) or somewhat strongly (32.1%) consider safety in college decisions for their respective children entering college.
This Poll was conducted January 22-27, 2016.
ABOUT THE POLL: The Poll was conducted by The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government. Polling by the Center is conducted on a regular basis and may also include spontaneous polling on occurring events. For the full Poll Report, click here: https://www.jsums.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IOG-Polling-Center-JSU-Winter-2016-Report.pdf.
METHODOLOGY: The Poll sampled opinions of 1000 approximately proportional to state population contribution nationwide. The survey was conducted January 22-27, 2016. All surveys were conducted using an online survey instrument. The poll has a +/- 3.0 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level on a composite basis.