EdChoice asked thousands of Americans and school parents in March, April and May for their perspective on topics ranging from classroom tech to preparing students for life after high school.
Here are three highlights:
Mixed feelings about tech’s role in the classroom
School parents are very supportive of technology such as laptops (86%) and online learning platforms like Canvas or Blackboard (84%). They are less likely to support the use of artificial intelligence (60%) and cell phones (50%) in the classroom.
One-third of school parents are either extremely or very concerned about the effects of AI on their child’s learning during the school year. Private school parents (77%) are 24-points more likely than district school parents (53%) to support allowing their child to use AI on schoolwork.
Numerous reasons cited for switching a child’s school
Just over one in five school parents (22%) say they have switched their child’s school (besides the standard progression from grade school to middle school to high school).
The reasons why school parents switch their child’s school are numerous. In May, among school parents that reported switching their child’s school, bullying (33%) and excessive stress or anxiety (27%) were the most prominent difficulties children faced at their former school, prompting the switch. The next most common reasons were difficulty with teachers (26%), academic needs not being met (24%), and not enough individual attention (24%).
Opinions divided on students being ready for life after high school
When it comes to how their children are doing in school, nearly two-thirds of school parents say their child’s school is doing very well preparing students academically (63%) and helping students feel engaged and hopeful about their future (60%). The numbers drop when asked if their child’s school is doing well preparing students for careers and the workforce (54%), connecting students with mentors or community members (52%), and helping students develop networks or professional contacts for their future (51%).
Asked about life post-high school graduation and whether parents feel students are prepared for the future, the survey reported:
- 50% of school parents say students are prepared to succeed in college or other post-secondary education
- 47% of school parents feel that students are prepared to work effectively with others in a professional setting
- 45% of school parents feel that students are prepared to handle real-world responsibilities like managing finances and navigating adult life generally
- 44% of school parents say that students are prepared to enter the workforce and find a good job
School parents were asked what’s most important to help young people get a good job once they graduate high school. Having a strong work ethic (53%) and getting real work experience (43%) is most important in building a career after high school. About one-third of school parents emphasized the importance of having mentors or connections in a chosen field (35%), living in a community with people of different backgrounds (31%), or completing a technical training program (30%).
Only 28% of school parents feel that earning a four-year college degree is important for young people to build a career.
EdChoice
