How Americans are feeling about the quality of a U.S. education, according to this new Gallup poll

A recent Gallup poll reveals that Americans' satisfaction with the quality of K-12 education in the United States has reached a concerning low point. Only 32% of adult Americans report being "completely" or "somewhat" satisfied with the U.S. school system, according to the August poll published Tuesday by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation. This marks an 11-point drop over the past two years and the lowest level since Gallup began polling on this subject 27 years ago.

Experts attribute the decline to a growing political divide and concerns over schools' inability to adequately prepare students for college and future jobs. Democrats, in particular, are seen as driving the recent slide, with their satisfaction dropping about 19 points since President Donald Trump's second term began in 2025. Independents and Republicans have also seen decreases in satisfaction, with Democrats feeling the impact most acutely.

The Trump administration's policies, such as portraying schools as political battlegrounds, raising concerns about teacher speech, and attempting to abolish diversity programs and dismantle the Education Department, have contributed to eroding public confidence in the system. Jack Schneider, director of the Center for Education Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, emphasizes the alarming implications of these findings, stating that the nation is on the brink of losing its public education system as it has traditionally functioned.

However, the dissatisfaction extends beyond national dissatisfaction, as parents' views of their own children's education differ significantly. About two-thirds of parents with school-age children express satisfaction with their child's education, a low point in the trend since 2013. This discrepancy suggests a disconnect between the national narrative and parents' personal experiences within their own school systems.

Additionally, Gallup polling indicates that public confidence in schools has generally declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating academic declines, mental health issues, and other challenges. The persistent negative headlines about test scores, particularly in reading, have likely fueled this decline. Moreover, there is growing debate and concern surrounding technology and AI in education, as well as the increasing focus on students' screen time at school.

Despite the overall dissatisfaction with the U.S. education system, a separate survey conducted by Gallup and Walton found that only about two in ten Americans believe schools are doing a "good" or "excellent" job in teaching critical thinking or preparing students for the current workforce. Schools received the highest marks for their ability to prepare students to adapt to new technologies, with 44% giving them a high ranking in this area.

Gallup senior education researcher Zach Hrynowski attributes this frustration to a general negative perception of institutions nationwide, noting that people feel frustrated and believe no institution is functioning well.