For the first time in 23 years, overall satisfaction with K12 education among Americans has reached a record low of 36%, which mirrors levels last recorded in 2000, new polling from Gallup suggests. Here’s what leaders need to know.
Parents still adore their teachers
Despite these grim statistics, the data suggests that teachers continue to be one of the most beloved aspects of K12 education for parents.
According to the data, parents largely rate their children’s teachers “positively.” Here’s what the data says:
“How would you rate the performance of your children’s teachers—as excellent, good, fair or poor?”
- Excellent: 36%
- Good: 37%
- Fair: 20%
- Poor: 7%
Satisfaction is linked to political affiliation
“Lower satisfaction from Republicans and Republican-leaning independents since Joe Biden became president has driven the overall decline in ratings of the nation’s K12 education quality,” the research reads. For instance, only one-fourth of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they’re “completely” or “somewhat satisfied” with K12 education quality. That’s compared to less than half (44%) of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents, which is five percentage points lower than the national average since 2000.
“The latest divergent readings among partisans are in stark contrast to 2000, the last time overall satisfaction among U.S. adults was at today’s level,” the research reads. “At that time, there was little difference between partisans’ satisfaction levels.”
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How parents feel about their oldest child’s education
When it comes to parents reflecting on their oldest child’s education quality, the data suggests a positive outlook. According to the polling, 76% of parents are “completely” or “somewhat satisfied” with the quality of their oldest child’s education. That’s compared to American’s overall perception of the quality of U.S. K12 education at 36%.
“Since 1999, when Gallup started asking these two questions every August, there has been a consistent, significant gap between parents’ satisfaction with their child’s education and Americans’ view of U.S. education in general, averaging 31 percentage points,” the research reads. “Parents’ more positive views on education are reserved for their direct experience with their own children. They are only a bit more satisfied with education nationally (41%) than the public at large is (36%).
