Are these numbers bad news for the Obama administration?

More Americans are saying they are less supportive of President Barack Obama’s plans for education reform.

One-third of Americans give the president an A or B for his leadership on public school issues, down from 45 percent a year ago, according to the 2010 annual Phi Delta Kappan’s poll of American Attitudes Toward Public Schools. Poll results were released Wednesday.

PDK officials questioned why the president hasn’t gotten more credit for his education reforms on a conference call Tuesday which coincided with the announcement of Race to Top Phase 2 winners.

The U.S. Department of Education has infused states with more than $100 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Obama administration, using it to both offset budget shortfalls and to encourage reforms. And Obama has described his education platform as his administration’s most important initiative and has argued that it is the preeminent issue of this era.

So why is there such a big gap in public perception on the president’s education reforms?

“The public in general is not aware of where the money is coming from,” said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, during a conference call with reporters to discuss this year’s poll results.

“Federal contribution to schools is like 8 percent and so people aren’t used to seeing big federal dollars going to schools,” he said.

You can’t underestimate the president’s overall waning popularity as a contributing factor in public opinion, poll leaders said in response to a question about how Americans are generally viewing the Obama administration on issues like the economy.

William Bushaw, executive director of PDK International and the poll's co-director, said Americans view neighborhood schools as a local issue and they want to have a say in how things are operated.

In fact, four out of five respondents said that state governments should be responsible for public education in the United States.

The public also disagrees with Obama about closing failing schools, instead favoring more comprehensive support such as greater financial resources.

Other nuggets from PDK’s poll:

68 percent of Americans agree with the president's support of charter schools and almost all parents favor making college more available to all students.

71 percent of Americans say they trust teachers and do not support the firing of teachers and principals without cause.

So what do you think about PDK’s poll? Any surprises? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to track your school district’s stimulus spending at Edmoney.org.