A groundbreaking new survey reveals an urgent call for reform in K-12 education, with parents and voters nationwide demanding more school choice, greater accountability, and a return to traditional educational values. The findings underscore bipartisan dissatisfaction with the current state of education and overwhelming support for significant changes to the nation’s education system.

Americans Believe Education Is Off-Track

The survey, conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research on behalf of Parents for School Options, found that nearly 8 in 10 voters (79%) believe K-12 education is on the wrong track. This sharp increase from 63% in 2022 cuts across political and racial demographics, highlighting the urgency for meaningful change. 

Americans Demand Choice and Transparency

• School Choice is a Top Priority:
  
  • 75% of voters support President Trump’s 50-state school choice initiative, allowing public funds to follow students to schools of their parents' choice, whether public, private, or religious.
  • Support cuts across racial demographics, with 68% of Black voters, 76% of Hispanic voters, and 75% of White voters backing the proposal.
• Demand for Parental Rights:
  
  • 68% of respondents support the right of parents to know the curriculum being taught in schools and favor cutting federal funding for schools pushing critical race theory or gender ideology.
  • This includes 65% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 74% of Republicans.
• Support for Open Enrollment and Vouchers:
  
  • 62% of voters favor open enrollment policies, allowing parents to choose schools outside of geographic district boundaries.
  • 61% support tuition voucher programs, enabling public funds to be used at public, private, or parochial schools.
• A Call for Classical Education:
  
  • A staggering 86% of voters want a federal law requiring all public schools to teach a classic curriculum focused on history, math, science, and English.

Broad Support for the Trump Administration’s Education Agenda

Voters are also backing major proposals that could reshape American education:

• 47% support eliminating the Department of Education, and transferring responsibilities back to the states, with only 20% opposed. Among Republicans, this support rises to 62%.
• 45% believe eliminating the Department would improve the quality of K-12 education, compared to just 25% who believe it would have a negative impact.

A Unified Call to Action

These findings reflect a seismic shift in public opinion. Parents and voters are no longer willing to accept a status quo that leaves students behind. Instead, they demand policies that prioritize student achievement, empowering parents, restoring transparency, and ensuring that federal education dollars follow students, not bureaucracies.

“This survey should be a wake-up call to policymakers at every level,” said Letrisha Weber, PSO National Board President. “The American people—regardless of political or racial background—are united in their desire for a better future for our children. 

“Parents know what’s best for their children, and they’re demanding the tools to give their kids a better future. It’s time to listen to our voices and act.”

To learn more about our survey, view our full findings.

‍

The survey of 1,000 likely voters in the United States was conducted between January 2-12, 2025. The survey was completed by Susquehanna Polling and Research on behalf of Parents for School Options and has a credibility interval of ±3.1% at the 95% confidence level.