MIG Reports analysis shows parents discussing school in swing states fear for their children’s education and safety. An unsettling theme emerges as voters grapple with the state of public education and social issues. Parents are actively engaging in debates about their children's education, with significant emphasis on school choice, curriculum content, and safety concerns.

School Choice and CRT

Approximately 40% of parents advocate for educational freedom and school choice, arguing it provides better opportunities for their children. This is a particular desire in underperforming districts. Parents are proactive in their desire to escape the growing inadequacies of the public school system. They largely favor alternatives like charter schools or school vouchers.

On a national scale, there are strong opinions on curriculum content—particularly when it comes to Critical Race Theory (CRT). Nationally, about 45% of parents support bans on CRT, fearing it creates division among students. Meanwhile, 35% oppose bans, arguing they would restrict essential discussions on race and social justice.

National sentiments align with concerns from swing state parents, where approximately 30% worry about the politicization of school curricula. In these states, the discussion is also focused on CRT and LGBTQ issues.

Achievement Gaps are a Paramount Concern

Safety concerns also feature prominently in these discussions. In swing states, about 60% of parents express anxiety over the adequacy of safety measures in schools. They especially discuss safety in the context of ongoing health concerns post-COVID.

Parental worries are not primarily around potential illnesses, but the educational and social impact of health policies on children. This worry is also present in national conversations, underscoring American families’ concern over physical safety and the emotional well-being of children.

A November 2020 report from Fairfax County Public Schools showed students were severely impacted by COVID measures. And more recent studies continue to show that the damage of COVID measures to students is not a short-term issue.

• Student performance has continued to struggle, still not recovering from 2020’s disastrous metrics now, four years later.
• Speech delays, academic achievement gaps, and other developmental impacts are still haunting school children in 2024.

Since the COVID pandemic, there's been an increase in the number of young children who have been slow to develop language skills, with pediatric speech delays more than doubling for children aged 12 and younger.@zschultzWPT reports. pic.twitter.com/CkJ2ZtNVNB

— PBS News (@NewsHour) January 7, 2024

The discourse in swing states, supported by national sentiments, shows parents are focused both on immediate educational choices and the broader implications of these choices on their children's future.

The active and passionate voices in these discussions underscore the determination of parents to influence educational policies that align with their values. Parents are determined to ensure safety and promote a balanced, effective curriculum.