Americans Like Their Local Public Schools Let’s give them more to like

Nancy Walser

Teachable Moments

Apr 02, 2025

Public Confidence in Local Schools Remains Strong—Now It’s Time to Build on That Trust By Nancy Walser (Apr 2, 2025)
Source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/repor...
Additional data: https://pdkpoll.org/2024-poll-results/

In her insightful piece, Nancy Walser highlights a surprising and enduring truth from decades of polling: Americans consistently express more confidence in their local public schools than in the nation’s education system as a whole. Drawing on data from the 2024 PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward Public Schools and a recent Common Sense Media survey, Walser examines why local schools enjoy higher public approval—and what educators and policymakers can do to sustain and expand that trust.

According to the 2024 PDK poll, 86% of public school parents engage with their schools by attending events, donating, or participating in meetings, reinforcing the idea that local schools are deeply woven into the fabric of their communities. Even though only 46% of the general public reports such involvement, this level of connection remains significant in a time when national education debates often paint a more polarized and pessimistic picture.

Walser suggests this contrast may stem from the aspirational nature of national education goals, which are often set unrealistically high—such as the now-defunct federal requirement that 100% of students score “proficient” on state tests. These ambitions can make the national system seem broken, while local schools benefit from the personal relationships and familiarity that humanize and anchor them in their communities.

In addition to the PDK findings, Walser points to new data from Common Sense Media showing broad bipartisan support for greater investment in children and education. The report found that 86% of parents support improving public K–12 schools, 82% support free preschool, and 76% favor increased funding for childcare and afterschool programs. Importantly, these views cross political lines, showing that while national discourse may be divided, parents overwhelmingly agree on practical policies that support kids.

Despite this strong backing, Walser cautions that current policy trends—including budget cuts, private school vouchers, and efforts to dismantle the Department of Education—threaten to undermine public schools. She urges educators to proactively communicate the full scope of what schools do—not just academic instruction, but also services related to student well-being, safety, meals, and emotional support. Too often, this work goes unseen or underappreciated by the broader public.

Walser ends on an optimistic note, sharing how her own district is holding community forums to build a shared vision for the future. She calls this a “smart move,” reminding educators that community engagement and transparent communication are key to maintaining trust and ensuring continued support.

In a time of political division and funding uncertainty, educators have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to tell their stories, build community, and show how their work is helping every student thrive.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com