Insights from a New Parent Poll on Education Concerns
A recent survey conducted by Parents Defending Education (PDE) sheds light on the priorities and concerns of parents regarding critical education issues, including the participation of boys in girls’ sports, the importance of private spaces, educational freedom, and a renewed focus on core academic subjects.
The poll also explored parental opinions on gender ideology, the controversial “grading for equity” approach aimed at addressing racial disparities in grading, and the practice of schools withholding information from parents regarding their children.
Founded in 2021, PDE is a national grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for parental rights and protecting students from what they view as harmful agendas in education. Through their online “IndoctriNation Map,” they allow parents and concerned citizens to share information regarding radical activism within public schools. Additionally, PDE identifies parent organizations across all states that stand against extreme ideologies and champion parental rights, student privacy, and safety.
The survey was administered by CRC Research and included responses from 1,000 parents nationwide who have children aged 18 or younger. Notably, nearly 73% of the participants were relatively young, between the ages of 18 and 44, and their views tended to reflect conservative values. A resounding sentiment emerged: parents desire a quality education for their children, free from ideologies that sexualize and confuse them.
Key Findings from the Survey
- An overwhelming 96% of parents supported educational freedom, affirming that “parents should be able to choose the best educational option for their child.”
- While 60% of respondents expressed a desire to keep their children in their current schools, 19% indicated they would opt to transfer their children to another school if possible, and 16% said they would choose to homeschool them instead.
- Regarding curriculum priorities, 90% of parents believe schools should concentrate on core subjects such as math, reading, writing, science, and social studies.
- 72% of parents expressed some level of opposition to the concept of “grading for equity” as a means to address racial disparities in grading.
- Only 14% rated schools as “good” at enforcing student behavior policies; conversely, 58% deemed them “fair,” and 36% categorized them as “poor.” A significant 96% of parents advocated for clearly stated and enforced expectations for maintaining order in classrooms.
- 80% of respondents disagreed with schools facilitating changes to a child’s “gender identity” without parental notification, and 75% opposed school personnel withholding information about a child’s gender identity from their parents. Furthermore, 77% of parents wanted to be informed if their child expressed a wish to use a different name or pronoun at school.
- On the subject of sports and private facilities, 78% of parents opposed allowing biological males to participate in girls’ teams, while 77% opposed the presence of males who identify as females in female bathrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa.
Reactions to the Findings
In light of the survey results, PDE President Nicole Neily commented, “These findings underscore a profound parental dissatisfaction with multiple aspects of our current education system, demonstrating a collective call for a return to foundational educational principles.”
Neily further emphasized the detrimental impact of federal policies, stating that “for too long, federal officials have prioritized the demands of unions and activists over the genuine needs of students and families.”
PDE’s Director of Outreach, Erika Sanzi, highlighted the strong opposition parents have towards schools not communicating issues related to their children’s mental health, particularly those surrounding gender identity:
“This poll reveals significant parental concern regarding school personnel withholding vital information about their child’s gender identity at school. It’s encouraging to see a clear consensus that the current trend of enabling gender transitions without parental knowledge is misguided and must end.”
For parents looking to navigate the complexities of modern education, consider utilizing the updated free resource provided by Focus on the Family and Family Policy Alliance: Equipping Parents for Back-to-School. This free downloadable guide empowers parents with insights into what’s happening in their child’s classroom and offers strategies for effective advocacy throughout the school year.
