Parents and Voters Continue to Desire Transformative Changes in Education
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Americans Have Identified the Biggest Problems in Schools Today
- Americans Have Identified the Biggest Problems in Schools Today
- Parents and Voters Continue to Want Bold Changes in Education
- Parents Want K-12 Public Schools to Better Prepare Students for Success in the Workforce
- Trends in Attitudes Toward Education Curriculum
- Bold change looks different depending on where you live
Americans Have Identified the Biggest Problems in Schools Today
In the wake of pandemic learning loss, parents and voters believe that issues of funding, parent involvement and mental health must be addressed in order to get students back on track and prepared for future success in the workforce.
Appetite for bold change in K-12 education remains high among parents and voters. Across all three polls, Americans indicated a desire for bold change, with a major jump from 36% in 2021 to 46% in 2022. About 40% of 2024 respondents said bold change is still a major priority for them.
Parents have felt learning loss in significant numbers. They report their children are behind, missed a great deal of learning time and are not equipped with enough problem-solving and critical thinking skills necessary for real-world success. In 2022, 67% of parents wanted their child’s school to change in the wake of the pandemic. In 2024, even more Americans believe schools are not preparing students for life after high school. Ninety percent of 2024 respondents believe schools should prepare students for STEM careers.
About 60% of 2024 respondents believe that students are worse off at reading and math than previous generations. Nearly three-quarters (71%) feel strongly that ensuring every child is on track and at grade level in reading, math and writing is the most important initiative for improving education in their state.
Parents' priorities for their children's eduation differs based on geography. Urban and rural parents are focused on ensuring their students stay on track with academics. Suburban parents want more career education for their kids.
