Public Education Concern Growing: Education Leaders Must Do More to Improve Public Education

It’s been two years since students returned to the classroom, and now more than ever, California voters are growing concerned about the direction of our state’s public education system, with a majority saying the situation is getting worse and calling for significant change. .

This statement is based on the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) annual statewide survey to find out how voters feel about public education in the Golden State. The results provide valuable insights to educational and political leaders, and provide data on voter perceptions of California’s education challenge. A survey this year by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research found that Californians, especially parents, want change and more public school choices.

According to the poll, the number of voters who believe that the quality of education in California public schools has “worsened” increased by 13 points, from 38% in 2020 to 51% in 2023. On the other hand, 63% of voters polled say parents should have more choice, in line with sentiment across the state.

In our Hispanic community, 56% of those surveyed say we need “major changes” in the public education system; only 8% believe that California’s public education system is “basically okay.” In addition, the vast majority (88%) of Hispanics believe that parents should have the right to choose a public charter school if they feel it is best for their children. Finally, 74% of Hispanic parents would like to consider starting a public charter school for their children.

Let’s remember that over 365,000 Hispanic public school students attend a public charter school in California, which is 53% of the total charter students.

The results also show that the pendulum of public opinion has swung in favor of public charter schools. This year’s poll shows 57% of Californians support these public schools, up from 47% in 2020. For their part, 74% of Hispanic voters who took part in the survey believe that public charter schools offer a high quality education.

A recent study by Stanford University’s Center for Educational Outcome Research (CREDO) found that charter public schools outperform traditional public schools in California and across the country. This study concludes that flexibility is a key success factor for public charter schools. In addition, it notes that public charter schools do not “select” the most academically prepared students and that students in these schools now demonstrate higher academic achievement than their peers in traditional public schools. Finally, the dedicated efforts of public charter school teachers to educate our state’s most vulnerable and underprivileged students are making a difference and making a difference.

This year’s CCSA poll has been a wake-up call for legislators and educational leaders across the state. We must show that we are listening and taking action to provide more families with high-quality public schools that help students succeed in college, careers and life.