School choice support overwhelmingly high at 72%

Seventy-two percent of voters support giving parents the right to use the tax dollars designated for their child’s education to send their child to the public or private school that best serves their needs, according to a new poll from RealClear Opinion Research.

Among more than 2,000 registered voters, 72 percent support the concept of school choice compared to 18 percent opposed. Support is also high across party lines: 68 percent of Democrats, 82 percent of Republicans, and 67 percent of Independents. And among racial groups: 77 percent of Hispanics, 70 percent of blacks, 72 percent of whites, and 66 percent of Asians.

Since April 2020, when COVID hit, school choice support has experienced sizable increases, reports the American Federation for Children.

April 2020February 2022
Overall support: 64%Overall support: 72% (+8 pp)
Democratic support: 59%Democratic support: 68% (+9 pp)
Republican support: 75%Republican support: 82% (+7 pp)
Independent support: 60%Independent support: 67% (+7 pp)

“As the battle over educational freedom continues, party affiliation is secondary to ensuring all families are empowered to choose the best educational setting for their children,” says Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children.

We urge policymakers, regardless of party, to act to expand options and opportunity to every child in America and eradicate barriers that prevent families from choosing a learning environment where their children can thrive.

In Minnesota, one such expansion is currently before the legislature — S.F. 1525. The Education Savings Account bill would help give under-performing students the opportunity to reach higher levels of educational attainment.

Members of the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee approved the legislation, but it faces an uphill battle in the House and governor’s office despite a majority of Minnesotans (69 percent) supporting the school choice provision.