Overview

• Just 35% of U.S. adults say they are satisfied with K-12 education (7% completely, 28% somewhat), an eight-point drop from last year and the lowest level since Gallup began tracking in 1999.
• Parents remain far more positive about their own child’s school, with 32% completely satisfied and 42% somewhat satisfied in the latest results.
• Partisan gaps are pronounced, with satisfaction at 42% among Democrats, 34% among independents, and 29% among Republicans.
• New questions on outcomes show weak marks for readiness, with 21% saying schools do an excellent or good job preparing students for jobs and 33% for college; parent ratings are modestly higher at 30% and 41%, respectively.
• A companion online poll finds only 26% believe K-12 education is headed in the right direction, underscoring broader doubts beyond local school experiences.