American satisfaction with K-12 hits record low — but not with parents

Naaz Modan, Senior Reporter - K-12 Drive

Some 74% of U.S. parents say they are satisfied with their eldest child’s education, a recent Gallup poll found.

Dive Brief:

• Only 35% of Americans are satisfied with the K-12 education system — a record low since Gallup began polling on the subject 26 years ago. Some 62% say they are at least somewhat dissatisfied, and 73% also say that schools are headed in the wrong direction.

• The low level of satisfaction marks an 8-percentage-point drop since last year and is even below the previous historical lows recorded in 2000 and 2023, according to Gallup results. 

• However, a reverse trend is seen when looking only at parents with children in the K-12 system. There, about 74% say they are at least somewhat satisfied with their eldest child’s education, and only 23% say they are dissatisfied to some extent.

Read more at K-12 Drive