National priorities: which comes first, improve economy or improve education?

On Oct 3, ASCD Smartbrief featured the results of a poll.

(http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/eMfCCemyuAggwvsIfDfIfYcOjQkk)

ASCD did not provide details, only the results.

The question: What do you feel should be the most important U.S. national priority or goal?

Among the choices were:

(1) Increasing jobs and economic growth.

(2) Improving the quality of our public schools.

Arne Duncan has said that the key to improving the economy is first improving education.  I assume this means that he would choose option (2).

Martin Luther King's position is different: "We are likely to find that the problems of housing and education, instead of preceding the elimination of poverty, will themselves be affected if poverty is first abolished” (Martin Luther King, 1967, Final Words of Advice). I assume this means that Dr. King would choose option (1).

Here are the results of the ED Pulse poll:

What do you feel should be the most important U.S. national priority or goal?

Increasing jobs and economic growth: 51%

Improving the quality of our public schools: 11%

The complete results: note that total = 100%, indicating that respondents were asked to choose one answer among the alternatives.

Increasing jobs and economic growth: 51.58%

Making sure children get a strong start through quality early education: 15.18%

Improving the quality of our public schools: 11.15%

Improving access to quality heatlh care for low-income families: 9.04%

Reducing the tax burden on families  8.46%

Securing our borders 3.85%

Making sure working parents can find quality, affordable child care for their young children: 1.73%

NOT included:

Increasing testing in schools and making sure children are tested on all subjects every year.

More rigorous standards in schools.

More up-to-date news about Miley Cyrus.