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K-12 Education Satisfaction Hits Record Low, Gallup Finds

9/8/2026

15 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Gallup/Walton poll finds 32% of U.S. adults satisfied with K-12 education, a record low.
Dissatisfaction climbs to 67%, the highest level recorded among U.S. adults.
Democratic adult satisfaction falls 19 points since 2025, driving most of the decline.
Only 20% of adults say schools teach critical thinking well.
K-12 parents report 66% satisfaction with their child’s education, the lowest since 2013.

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Story summary

Gallup/Walton poll finds 32% of U.S. adults satisfied with K-12 education, a record low.
Dissatisfaction climbs to 67%, the highest level recorded among U.S. adults.
Democratic adult satisfaction falls 19 points since 2025, driving most of the decline.
Only 20% of adults say schools teach critical thinking well.
K-12 parents report 66% satisfaction with their child’s education, the lowest since 2013.