Pew Research Poll: Partisan Divisions in K-12 Education

Partisan divisions in K–12 education have become increasingly pronounced, shaping the 2024 election cycle and sparking intense debates on topics such as curriculum, school impact, and parental influence, according to recent surveys by Pew Research Center. Pew Research presents several charts based on surveys and external data to illustrate these divisions.

One significant divide is on the perception of the impact of K-12 schools. While around 72% of Democrats believe that public schools have a positive effect on the country, 61% of Republicans view them negatively.

The U.S. Department of Education also faces a partisan split, with 62% of Democrats having a favorable opinion of it compared to 65% of Republicans who see it negatively. This divide was further highlighted during a House Committee hearing, where Republican lawmakers questioned the Department's priorities regarding transgender students and race-related concepts, while Democrats focused on school shootings.

Confidence in K-12 principals has become more divided along party lines. In 2021, 76% of Democrats expressed confidence in principals, compared to 52% of Republicans. The decline in confidence was steeper among Republicans, dropping by 27 percentage points compared to an 11-point decline among Democrats.

Democrats and Republicans also differ in their views on teachers' unions. Sixty percent of Democrats believe that unions have a positive effect on schools, while only 22% of Republicans share this view.

Parental influence over the curriculum is another point of contention. Republican parents are more likely to believe that the federal government, state government, and local school boards have too much influence on what their children learn, while Democratic parents are more concerned about the influence of parents themselves. For example, 44% of Republicans think parents don't have enough influence, compared to 23% of Democrats.

On specific topics taught in schools, there are stark differences. Regarding slavery, two-thirds of Republican parents prefer their children to learn that it is part of American history but does not affect the position of Black people in society today. In contrast, 70% of Democratic parents want their children to learn that slavery's legacy still affects the position of Black people.

Republicans and Democrats also diverge on topics such as gender identity, sex education, and the role of religion in schools. Republicans are more likely to oppose teaching gender identity and support religious activities in public schools, while Democrats hold different views.

Finally, mission statements of schools in Democratic areas are more likely to mention diversity, equity, inclusion, and social-emotional learning compared to schools in Republican areas. However, there are similarities in other aspects like preparing students for the future, involving parents and communities, and ensuring a safe educational environment.

These partisan differences reflect the varying priorities and values within K-12 education and are expected to shape the discussions surrounding the 2024 election cycle.

Click here to review the full report, including 8 charts illustrating the data.