A pre-election poll of 1,000 registered voters nationwide by the yes. every kid. foundation found overwhelming discontent with the direction of public education today but even greater support for open enrollment, which allows students to attend the school of their choice, depending on the capacity limits of the receiving school. Open Enrollment is debuting this school year in Kansas.
This summer, yes, every kid. sponsored an event in Topeka at the historic Brown v. Board of Education Museum, which called for an end to school boundaries and true open enrollment.
The findings of the survey:
- Voters believe education is off track. By nearly 2:1, voters say K-12 education is headed in the wrong direction (56% vs. 31%).
- Republicans have an opportunity to lead on education. While Democrats have historically been more trusted on education, the gap is closing: 47% of voters now favor Democrats, while 42% trust Republicans on the issue.
- Local control matters. Three-quarters of voters believe the federal government should fund schools, but only 28% think it should dictate spending. Only 12% cite the U.S. Department of Education as who they trust most to decide how federal K-12 education money is spent.
- There is support for federal block granting K-12 funds. A majority (55%) favor block granting federal funds to states. Support grows to 59% with more information.
- Public school open enrollment is immensely popular. With 58% in favor, nearly twice as many voters support ending assigned school zones as those opposed, saying every child should access the best public school for them.
The group’s Vice-President, Matt Frendewey, offered this comment on the survey results:
“Voters want less federal control and more flexibility in education. They trust states, communities, and families—not Washington—to make the right choices for students. This is a call to create policies that empower families and give every child the opportunity to thrive.”
On Election Day, voters in Texas and Arizona agreed with the foundation’s goals as enough School Choice-supporting legislators were elected to strengthen each state’s march toward educational opportunities for children and families. In Texas, eight of 11 challengers endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott, a Choice proponent, won their races, increasing their majorities in the House and Senate. The victories should provide momentum for the Lone Star State to pass its first School Choice initiative next year, which will serve its five million school children.
Following the November 5th elections, the North Carolina Legislature overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a school choice bill.
In Arizona, its two-year-old School Choice, under attack from its governor, appears to have survived efforts at dismantling it with state legislative victories. American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz praised the state’s voters:
“The American Federation for Children celebrates a vital victory in Arizona, where pro-school choice legislators retained control of the House and Senate, effectively blocking anti-school choice lawmakers, including Governor Katie Hobbs, from dismantling educational options for Arizona families.
“Despite long-running programs serving tens of thousands of students, school choice opponents have made no secret of their plans to attack Arizona’s school choice offerings and roll back opportunities for thousands of children. This election cycle, Arizona voters made it clear where they stand by re-electing champions of school choice and protecting educational opportunities for families statewide.”
Reporter’s Note: This story was updated following school choice victories in Arizona, North Carolina and Texas.
