Satisfaction with US education dropping, according to Gallup survey

Americans are becoming less satisfied with the state of K-12 education, with curriculum and educational approach being cited as the top issue, according to a Gallup survey released last week.

Only 42 percent of Americans said they are completely or somewhat satisfied with K-12 education in the United States, compared to 51 percent in 2019. Only 9 percent said they are completely satisfied with the education students receive, while 2 percent said they have no opinion. 

Of those who were dissatisfied with public education, 65 percent highlighted issues with curriculum and educational standards, while 28 percent mentioned a lack of resources and 17 percent mentioned political concerns. 

Most parents who have children in K-12 education are satisfied with their children’s education, the survey showed. Eighty percent of respondents are completely or somewhat satisfied with their oldest child’s education, an eight point increase from a year ago. Only six percent said they were completely dissatisfied with their own child’s education.