For our look at public opinion, political partisanship, ideology, and polling.
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Key points:
1 - Most Democrats say K-12 schools are having a positive effect on the country, but a majority of Republicans say schools are having a negative effect.
2 - About six-in-ten Democrats (62%) have a favorable opinion of the U.S. Department of Education, while a similar share of Republicans (65%) see it negatively.
3 - Partisan opinions of K-12 principals have become more divided.
4 - Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say teachers’ unions are having a positive effect on schools.
5 - Republican and Democratic parents differ over how much influence they think governments, school boards and others should have on what K-12 schools teach.
6 - Republican and Democratic parents don’t agree on what their children should learn in school about certain topics. T
7 - Many Republican parents see a place for religion in public schools, whereas a majority of Democratic parents do not.
8 - Mentions of diversity, social-emotional learning and related topics in school mission statements are more common in Democratic areas than in Republican areas.
We should consider why this is the case. Why do members of the two major parties think the way they do?
Also: Do they think the way they do because of what they are exposed to as Democrats and Republicans, or did they begin with opinions about education and then identify with a party based on that opinion?
