Education

Line graph. Satisfaction with the quality of K-12 education in the U.S., trend from 1999-2022. Currently, 42% of Americans say they are satisfied with the quality of education that students in the U.S. receive today, compared with 55% who say they are dissatisfied. The 55% dissatisfied is near the high for the trend, which has seen dissatisfaction levels mostly in the low 50% range. The high for satisfaction was in 2004, with 53% satisfied. The low in satisfaction was in 2000, with 36% satisfied and 61% dissatisfied.

Overall, how satisfied are you with the quality of education students receive in kindergarten through grade 12 in the U.S. today -- would you say you are completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied?

	Completely satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Completely dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	9	33	32	23	2
2021 Aug 2-17	10	36	32	22	1
2020 Jul 30-Aug 12	11	39	31	17	2
2019 Aug 1-14	10	41	32	15	2
2018 Aug 1-12	10	33	34	21	2
2017 Aug 2-6	9	38	32	20	1
2016 Aug 3-7	9	34	35	20	1
2015 Aug 5-9	8	37	37	17	2
2014 Aug 7-10	9	39	33	16	2
2013 Aug 9-12	9	36	33	20	3
2012 Aug 9-12	8	36	37	16	3
2011 Aug 11-14	8	37	32	22	1
2010 Aug 5-8	9	34	37	17	2
2009 Aug 6-9	8	37	35	17	3
2008 Aug 7-10	7	37	38	15	3
2007 Aug 13-16	7	39	35	16	3
2006 Aug 7-10	8	37	33	19	3
2005 Aug 8-11	9	37	35	16	3
2004 Aug 9-11	10	43	32	13	2
2003 Aug 4-6	8	40	34	16	2
2002 Aug 5-8	7	40	32	18	3
2001 Aug 16-19	10	38	32	17	3
2000 Aug 24-27	7	29	40	21	3
1999 Aug 24-26	8	39	38	13	2
Gallup

Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about -- the quality of public education in the nation?

	Very satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Very dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2023	9	20	28	40	2
2022	10	18	29	40	2
2021	12	23	24	40	1
2020	10	25	27	36	2
2019	9	27	29	33	2
2018	12	26	30	31	2
2017	12	25	29	32	2
2016	11	27	27	34	2
2015	12	28	27	30	3
2014	11	28	30	29	2
2013	11	30	27	29	3
2012	7	30	28	33	2
2008	11	31	30	27	2
2007	11	30	29	28	2
2006	11	31	29	27	2
2005	9	31	32	26	2
2004	9	33	31	25	2
2003	11	31	32	25	1
2002	12	33	28	26	1
2001	10	30	32	25	3
Gallup

What are some of the reasons you are dissatisfied with the quality of education that students in this country receive? [OPEN-ENDED]

Asked of those dissatisfied with K-12 education

	2022 Aug 1-23
	%
Poor/Outdated curriculum	15
Poor quality education/Outranked by other countries	12
Lack of teaching basic subjects (reading, writing, arithmetic)	11
Political agendas being taught	10
Students not learning life skills	9
Unequal access/opportunity for low-income students	8
Lack of funding, resources	6
Lack of care, empathy, attention, support for students	6
Sex education/Transgender/Gender identity education	4
History not being taught	4
Teacher pay/Low salaries/Underpaid	4
Not enough quality teachers/Underqualified	4
Lack of teachers/understaffed/Too much turnover	4
Too much emphasis on standardized testing	3
Teaching methods/Way teachers teach/On computers too much	3
Little discipline with students/Low accountability	3
Critical race theory agenda	3
Schools are not safe/Violence/Bullying	2
Poor response to COVID-19 situation/Home schooling/Lack of teaching	2
Need more involvement, input from parents	2
Lack or preparedness for workforce, careers	2
Students not taught to think critically	2
Schools are overcrowded/Large class sizes/Teachers overworked	2
Students not challenged/Not pushed to their capabilities	2
Teachers not allowed to teach/Not supported enough	1
Too much government interference	1
Students not taught basic civics	1
No Child Left Behind agenda	1
Other	10
No opinion	1
Gallup

Thinking about your oldest child in kindergarten through grade 12, what grade will he or she be entering this fall?

Based on K-12 parents

	Kindergarten-Fifth	Sixth-Eighth	Ninth-12th	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	33	21	44	2
2021 Aug 2-17	36	25	39	1
2020 Jul 30-Aug 12	29	23	48	*
2019 Aug 1-14	33	20	46	*
2018 Aug 1-12	37	21	40	2
2017 Aug 2-6	36	20	42	3
2016 Aug 3-7	36	25	38	*
2015 Aug 5-9	35	24	39	1
2014 Aug 7-10	37	22	40	2
2013 Aug 7-11	38	24	37	1
2012 Aug 9-12	33	23	43	1
2011 Aug 11-14	32	22	44	2
2010 Aug 5-8	34	26	40	*
2009 Aug 6-9	36	22	41	*
2008 Aug 7-10	36	24	39	1
2007 Aug 13-16	29	23	47	1
2006 Aug 7-10	39	21	39	1
2005 Aug 8-11	38	22	40	--
2004 Aug 9-11	38	21	40	1
2003 Aug 4-6	40	18	42	--
2002 Aug 5-8	40	23	36	1
2001 Aug 16-19	38	20	41	1
1999 Aug 24-26	44	25	30	1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Will your oldest child attend public, private, parochial or home school this year?

Based on K-12 parents

	Public	Private	Parochial	Charter school	Home school	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	82	9	1	3	5	--
2021 Aug 2-17	83	7	1	4	4	1
2020 Jul 30-Aug 12	76	6	2	5	10	1
2019 Aug 1-14	83	7	4	2	5	*
2018 Aug 1-12	80	7	2	7	3	--
2017 Aug 2-6	88	4	3	--	3	2
2016 Aug 3-7	82	10	3	--	4	1
2015 Aug 5-9	80	13	3	--	3	1
2014 Aug 7-10	84	10	4	--	3	--
2013 Aug 7-11	86	8	2	--	3	1
2012 Aug 9-12	83	9	2	--	4	2
2011 Aug 11-14	84	9	2	--	4	1
2010 Aug 5-8	85	7	5	--	2	1
2009 Aug 6-9	81	12	3	--	2	2
2008 Aug 7-10	81	12	5	--	2	--
2007 Aug 13-16	86	8	3	--	2	1
2006 Aug 7-10	82	13	3	--	2	*
2005 Aug 8-11	85	10	3	--	2	--
2004 Aug 9-11	86	7	4	--	2	1
2003 Aug 4-6	85	6	5	--	3	1
2002 Aug 5-8	89	7	2	--	2	*
2001 Aug 16-19	88	5	5	--	2	--
2000 Aug 24-27	86	9	4	--	1	*
1999 Aug 24-26	86	10	4	--	*	--
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

How satisfied are you with the quality of education your oldest child is receiving? Would you say you are completely satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or completely dissatisfied?

Based on K-12 parents

	Completely satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Completely dissatisfied	Just starting school (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2022	32	48	14	6	--	--
2021	28	45	19	7	1	--
2020	32	40	15	11	2	--
2019	41	41	12	6	1	*
2018	32	39	18	10	*	--
2017	35	44	14	7	*	--
2016	36	40	15	8	1	--
2015	31	45	13	5	4	1
2014	35	40	18	4	3	--
2013	29	38	21	9	3	*
2012	34	41	17	4	2	1
2011	36	42	12	9	1	*
2010	35	45	12	7	2	1
2009	39	37	14	7	2	1
2008	35	42	17	3	2	1
2007	25	53	13	6	1	2
2006	35	42	12	7	3	1
2005	33	45	13	7	2	*
2004	32	47	15	4	2	*
2003	38	39	13	8	2	*
2002	29	39	20	7	4	1
2001	35	37	14	9	3	2
2000	31	47	12	6	4	*
1999	37	46	12	2	2	1
* Less than 0.5%; (vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Thinking about your oldest child, when he or she is at school, do you fear for his or her physical safety?

Based on K-12 parents

	Yes, fear	No, do not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	44	56	--
2019 Aug 1-14	34	66	*
2018 Aug 1-12	35	65	*
2017 Aug 2-6	24	76	--
2016 Aug 3-7	28	72	--
2015 Aug 5-9	29	71	*
2014 Aug 7-10	27	72	1
2013 Aug 7-11	33	67	1
2012 Dec 19-22	33	67	1
2012 Aug 9-12	25	74	1
2009 Mar 27-29	26	74	*
2008 Aug 7-10	15	85	--
2007 Aug 13-16	24	76	*
2006 Oct 6-8	35	65	--
2006 Aug 7-10	25	75	*
2005 Aug 8-11	21	79	*
2004 Aug 9-11	28	71	1
2003 Aug 4-6	24	76	*
2002 Aug 5-8	31	68	1
2001 Aug 16-19	32	68	0
2001 Mar 9-11	45	54	1
2000 Aug 24-27	26	74	0
2000 Apr 7-9	43	57	0
1999 Aug 24-26	47	53	*
1999 May 21-23	52	47	1
1999 Apr 26-27	49	51	*
1999 Apr 21	55	45	0
1998 Jun 5-7	37	62	1
1977	24	70	6
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school when they go back to school this fall?

Based on K-12 parents

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	20	80	--
2019 Aug 1-14	12	88	--
2018 Aug 1-12	20	79	1
2017 Aug 2-6	6	94	--
2016 Aug 3-7	13	87	--
2015 Aug 5-9	10	89	*
2014 Aug 7-10	8	92	--
2013 Aug 7-11	10	89	1
2012 Aug 9-12	12	85	3
2009 Mar 27-29^	10	90	--
2008 Aug 7-10	8	91	1
2007 Aug 13-16	12	87	1
2006 Oct 6-8 ^	12	88	--
2007 Aug 7-10	11	87	2
2004 Aug 9-11	10	89	1
2003 Aug 4-6	8	91	1
2001 Mar 9-11 #	22	77	1
2000 Aug 24-27	8	92	*
1999 Aug 24-26	18	82	*
* Less than 0.5%; ^ WORDING: Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school?; # WORDING: Have any of your school-aged children expressed any worry or concern about feeling unsafe at their school when they go to school?
Gallup

On another subject, for each of the following business sectors in the United States, please say whether your overall view of it is very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, somewhat negative or very negative. How about -- Education?

	Very positive	Somewhat positive	Neutral	Somewhat negative	Very negative	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2022 Aug 1-23	9	29	14	30	17	1
2021 Aug 2-17	11	30	19	28	12	--
2020 Jul 30-Aug 12	15	33	20	22	10	*
2019 Aug 1-14	10	35	18	27	8	1
2018 Aug 1-12	12	32	17	26	12	1
2017 Aug 2-6	13	42	17	22	5	*
2016 Aug 3-7	13	31	17	28	10	1
2015 Aug 5-9	8	33	14	32	11	1
2014 Aug 7-10	15	33	17	25	8	1
2013 Aug 7-11	14	32	14	31	9	1
2012 Aug 9-12	10	35	22	24	8	*
2011 Aug 11-14	7	28	18	35	12	*
2010 Aug 5-8	9	30	17	32	11	1
2009 Aug 6-9	10	33	16	31	10	1
2008 Aug 7-10	8	33	15	31	12	1
2007 Aug 13-16	13	34	16	28	8	1
2006 Aug 7-10	9	32	19	27	11	2
2005 Aug 8-11	17	35	18	24	5	1
2004 Aug 9-11	12	33	21	25	7	2
2003 Aug 4-6	13	38	18	20	10	1
2002 Aug 5-8	12	35	16	27	9	1
2001 Aug 16-19	13	37	18	23	9	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some or very little? The public schools

	Great deal	Quite a lot	Some	Very little	None (vol.)	No opinion	Great deal/Quite a lot
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
2022	9	19	39	31	2	*	28
2021	13	19	39	28	1	*	32
2020	18	23	36	20	2	1	41
2019	13	16	42	27	2	*	29
2018	12	17	44	25	2	1	29
2017	18	18	35	26	2	1	36
2016	14	16	40	29	1	1	30
2015	12	19	40	26	2	1	31
2014	12	14	42	28	3	1	26
2013	14	18	42	24	2	1	32
2012	11	18	40	28	2	1	29
2011	14	20	38	25	2	1	34
2010	14	20	39	23	1	2	34
2009	15	23	39	20	2	1	38
2008	16	17	42	22	1	2	33
2007	14	19	41	25	1	1	33
2006	15	22	36	23	2	2	37
2005	16	21	39	22	1	1	37
2004	16	25	39	18	1	1	41
2003	15	25	40	18	1	1	40
2002	12	26	41	18	2	1	38
2001	16	22	37	22	2	1	38
2000	13	24	41	19	2	1	37
1999	14	22	37	24	2	1	36
1998	16	21	40	20	2	1	37
1997	18	22	39	19	1	1	40
1996	16	22	38	21	1	2	38
1995	18	22	36	20	2	2	40
1994	14	20	40	23	2	1	34
1993	14	25	37	21	2	1	39
1991 Oct	14	21	38	22	2	3	35
1991 Feb	20	24	36	17	2	1	44
1990	21	24	34	18	1	2	45
1989	19	24	36	18	1	2	43
1988	18	31	35	14	1	1	49
1987	17	33	34	14	1	1	50
1986	17	32	33	16	1	1	49
1985	15	33	32	16	1	3	48
1984	20	28	32	19	--	2	48
1983	14	25	37	21	1	2	39
1981	16	26	32	20	5	1	42
1979	23	30	30	14	1	2	53
1977	22	31	26	15	1	5	53
1975	29	33	22	13	1	3	62
1973	30	28	27	9	2	4	58
(vol.) = Volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Next, we'd like to ask you about racial concentration, sometimes referred to as racial segregation, in U.S. public schools. This occurs when students in a school are predominantly from one racial group, such as mostly white or mostly black. Do you feel racial concentration or segregation in U.S. public schools is a very serious problem, a moderately serious problem, not too serious a problem or not a problem at all?

	Very serious	Moderately serious	Not too serious	Not a problem	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019 Jul 15-31	21	36	22	19	2
Gallup

Just your best guess, do you think U.S. public schools are now -- [ROTATED: more racially segregated than they were 20 years ago, has there been no change, (or are U.S. public schools) less racially segregated than they were 20 years ago]?

	More segregated	No change	Less segregated	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2019 Jul 15-31	23	20	54	3
Gallup

Do you think the federal government should or should not take additional steps to reduce racial concentration or segregation in U.S. schools?

	Yes, should	No, should not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jul 15-31	53	45	2
Gallup

Do you favor or oppose each of the following proposals to reduce racial concentration or segregation in U.S. public schools? [RANDOM ORDER]

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
Creating more regional magnet schools that offer specialized courses or curriculum	79	18	3
Initiating policies to promote more low-income housing in suburbs and other higher-income areas	66	32	2
Redrawing school district boundaries to create more racially diverse school districts	60	38	2
Requiring school districts to bus a certain percentage of students to a neighboring school district to make schools more racially diverse	43	55	2
Gallup, July 15-31, 2019

How important is a college education today -- very important, fairly important or not too important?

	Very important	Fairly important	Not important	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2019 Jun 19-30	53	35	11	*
2019 Jun 3-16	49	37	14	*
2013 Dec 5-8	70	23	6	*
1985 May 17-20 ^	64	27	7	2
1983 May 13-22 ^	58	31	8	3
1978 Apr ^	36	46	16	2
* Less than 0.5%; ^ Gallup/Phi Delta Kappa Survey of Attitudes toward Public Schools
Gallup

Please say whether you favor or oppose each of the following proposals. [RANDOM ORDER]

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
Free tuition at community colleges for anyone who wants to attend	64	36	*
Free tuition at public four-year colleges for students from low- and middle-income families	63	36	*
Debt-free college education ^	61	38	1
^ FULL ITEM WORDING: Debt-free college education that would use government money to cover the cost of a student's college beyond what his or her family can afford; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup, June 19-30, 2019

How confident are you that federal and state governments would be able to cover the cost of free or debt-free college programs for students -- very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident or not confident at all?

	Very confident	Somewhat confident	Not too confident	Not confident at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019 Jun 19-30	17	23	24	35	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Now, I'd like to ask you some questions about education beyond high school in the United States. By education beyond high school, I mean education available at colleges, universities, community colleges, online schools, technical/vocational schools and any place you could earn a degree or a professional certificate. Do you think education beyond high school is AVAILABLE to anyone in this country who needs it?

	Yes, is	No, is not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jun 3-16	60	40	--
2015 ^	59	41	*
2014 ^	61	39	*
2013 ^	67	32	1
2012 ^	68	32	*
2011 ^	71	28	*
* Less than 0.5%; ^ Gallup/Lumina Foundation surveys
Gallup

Do you think education beyond high school is AFFORDABLE for anyone in this country who needs it?

	Yes, is	No, is not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2019 Jun 3-16	27	73	*
2015 ^	24	76	1
2014 ^	21	78	<1
2013 ^	23	77	1
2012 ^	26	74	<1
* Less than 0.5%; ^ Gallup/Lumina Foundation surveys
Gallup

How would you rate the performance of your children's teachers -- as excellent, good, fair or poor?

Based on K-12 parents

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2018 Aug 1-12	35	36	22	6	*
1981 Mar 11-17	29	45	19	5	2
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Next I'm going to read a list of ways in which children are educated in the U.S. today. As I read each one, please indicate -- based on what you know or have read and heard -- how good an education each provides children -- excellent, good, only fair or poor. How about ... ?

	Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
Public schools
2017 Aug 2-6	5	39	35	19	2
2012 Aug 9-12	5	32	42	19	2
Parochial or church-related schools
2017 Aug 2-6	21	42	21	9	8
2012 Aug 9-12	21	48	18	5	8
Independent private schools
2017 Aug 2-6	21	50	17	4	8
2012 Aug 9-12	31	47	13	2	7
Charter schools
2017 Aug 2-6	14	41	23	9	13
2012 Aug 9-12	17	43	23	5	13
Home schooling
2017 Aug 2-6	14	32	31	15	8
2012 Aug 9-12	13	33	30	14	9
Gallup

From what you know, how would you rate the quality of education offered by each of the following -- as generally excellent, good, only fair or poor?

	Excellent	Good	Only fair	Poor	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
Four-year colleges and universities
2015 Jun 2-7	22	48	24	5	2
2013 Oct 3-6	16	52	22	8	2
Community colleges
2015 Jun 2-7	18	48	27	4	2
2013 Oct 3-6	13	51	27	6	3
Internet-based college programs ^
2015 Jun 2-7	8	28	36	18	9
2013 Oct 3-6	5	29	34	18	13
^ FULL WORDING: Internet-based college programs, in which the courses are conducted entirely online
Gallup

Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Making public school facilities available after school hours for use by student religious groups.

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Aug 7-10	77	21	2
2001 Feb 9-11	72	26	2
1999 Jun 25-27	78	21	1
Gallup

Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Allowing daily prayer to be spoken in the classroom.

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Aug 7-10	61	37	2
2001 Feb 9-11	66	34	*
2000 Sep 11-13	68	30	2
1999 Jun 25-27	70	28	2
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Next I'm going to read a variety of proposals concerning religion and public schools. For each one, please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose it. Allowing students to say prayers at graduation ceremonies as part of the official program.

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2014 Aug 7-10	75	24	1
2001 Feb 9-11	80	20	*
2000 Sep 11-13	77	21	2
1999 Jun 25-27	83	17	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

How much, if anything, have you heard about the new national standards for teaching reading, writing and math in grades K through 12, known as the Common Core State Standards -- a great deal, a fair amount, only a little or nothing at all?