- Dissatisfaction with the state of K-12 education has climbed to 55%
- Half of the voters surveyed oppose abolishing the US Department of Education, but support is split along partisan lines.
- The state's Opportunity Scholarship Program retains strong support at 61%.
A new Carolina Journal poll of likely North Carolina voters shows a continued line of dissatisfaction with traditional public education contrasted with enduring support for school choice options.
One of the most striking findings in the poll is the divide over whether the US Department of Education should be abolished. Half of the voters surveyed oppose its abolition, while support is split along partisan and demographic lines. The idea garners strong support among Republicans but faces near-universal opposition from Democrats. Independents also lean against the proposal, with 53% opposing and 31% supporting it.
Parents—39% support, 46% oppose—are more inclined to favor abolition than non-parents—33% support, 53% oppose. Similarly, teachers are more supportive of the measure at 40% in support and 50% opposed than non-educators, at 33% support and 52% opposition.
The survey also indicates growing voter dissatisfaction with the state of K-12 education. Dissatisfaction has climbed to 55% this year, a 7% increase since 2024, with a significant uptick among those who are “completely dissatisfied.” By contrast, satisfaction has remained steady at 33%.
“North Carolinians’ dissatisfaction with their local public schools is likely the leading cause of the decline in public school enrollments,” said Carolina Journal publisher and John Locke Foundation CEO Donald Bryson. “COVID was a major marking point in the public education debate, and if public school administrators would like to see a reverse in this trend, they should refocus their efforts on core academics and pivot away from political and controversial topics and materials.”
Voter concerns reflect a deepening discontent with the system’s ability to meet academic and societal expectations. Many respondents cited curriculum or educational values at 29%, academic quality at 25%, and safety concerns, including bullying, at 17%, as their top worries.
Despite the rising dissatisfaction with the public education system, voters continue to express strong support for school choice initiatives, signaling the desire for alternatives.
Support for NC’s voucher program, the Opportunity Scholarship Program, remains strong at 61%, even though it has slightly declined since January 2023. A similar 61% of voters believe funding should be tied to students’ individual educational needs, further emphasizing their endorsement of flexible education financing.
Sentiment around charter schools has cooled slightly since 2023, yet 60% still support them. Government funding for these schools remains a contentious issue, with voters almost evenly split at 41% in support and 42% opposed.
When asked about their ideal educational environment if cost weren’t a factor, voters revealed a significant preference for private schools. A plurality — 42% — of respondents would choose to send their children to private schools if money weren’t an issue. Most voters feel comfortable sending their children to local public schools, but a notable 37% remain uncomfortable, citing concerns about values, quality, and safety.
The poll surveyed 606 likely voters Jan. 22-25 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.97%.