American voters are making their dissatisfaction with the public education system abundantly clear, with a new poll highlighting widespread frustration and an overwhelming demand for more parental involvement and expanded school choice. Conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates— a firm with ties to Donald Trump’s campaigns— the survey reveals that a whopping 75 percent of voters rate the U.S. education system as either fair or poor. Unsurprisingly, a significant majority of respondents believe parents, not bureaucrats or teachers’ unions, should be the ones deciding how their children are educated.
School choice emerged as a dominant theme in the survey, with 74 percent of voters supporting the ability of parents to choose between public, private, or trade schools for their children. An even more decisive 81 percent agreed that empowering parents and prioritizing students’ needs should be the backbone of educational reform. The public’s lack of faith in teachers’ unions was starkly evident, as 65 percent said parents should have greater influence in shaping their children’s education, compared to unions. For many, this aligns seamlessly with the policies championed by Donald Trump, whose presidency and recent reelection have underscored the growing demand for school choice.
The poll also delved into the Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a Republican-led initiative designed to offer tax incentives for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations would provide parents the financial means to send their children to schools that align with their needs. The survey found that 65 percent of voters support the bill, with respondents indicating they would be twice as likely to back lawmakers who vote in favor of it. The ECCA has become a rallying point for conservatives pushing for federal school choice legislation, a cause that resonates with a majority of Americans tired of a one-size-fits-all education model.
Among the most enthusiastic supporters of school choice were Hispanic voters, with 78 percent favoring the ability to choose their children’s school and 72 percent backing the ECCA specifically. A striking 87 percent agreed that empowering parents to address their children’s unique needs is a critical priority. This level of support highlights how school choice is increasingly becoming a unifying issue across demographic lines, as families of all backgrounds seek alternatives to a struggling education system that too often places bureaucracy over student outcomes.
Adding fuel to the fire, another recent survey from Parents Defending Education found that 77 percent of parents want the federal Department of Education stripped of power, with decision-making returned to the states. This aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to abolish the department entirely— a bold proposal that has gained traction among conservatives. For Trump supporters and school choice advocates, the message from voters is loud and clear: the status quo isn’t cutting it. With polls showing that Americans overwhelmingly back school choice and parental empowerment, the pressure is now squarely on lawmakers to act and deliver the educational reform voters are demanding.
