Voters become more polarized when presidential candidates take positions on issues in K-12 education

Published: July 31, 2024 8:40am EDT

Authors David M. Houston Assistant Professor of Education, George Mason University Alyssa Barone Ph.D. candidate, Education Policy, George Mason University

The Conversation

In the article "Voters Become More Polarized When Presidential Candidates Take Positions on Issues in K-12 Education" by David M. Houston and Alyssa Barone, the authors explore the polarizing effects of presidential rhetoric on public education policy. The study reveals that while presidents can influence public opinion, their involvement often exacerbates partisan divides, except when they endorse policies traditionally associated with the opposing party.

Context of the Study

The authors discuss instances where political figures have made polarizing comments on education. For example, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized a Florida-approved Black history lesson in 2023, while Donald Trump called for defunding schools promoting critical race theory in early 2023. Such interventions by presidents and presidential candidates into K-12 education debates are not new but have historically intensified political polarization.

Key Findings

The study, which analyzed results from 18 experiments embedded in the annual Education Next poll from 2009-2021, found that:

1. General Influence: Presidents are generally unable to shift public opinion significantly on education policies. The overall effect of presidential endorsements on public opinion is negligible.

2. Partisan Response: When members of the president’s party learn about their leader's position, they tend to support it more, while opposition from the other party intensifies. This dynamic highlights how presidential rhetoric often sharpens partisan divides.

3. Exception to the Rule: When presidents endorse policies traditionally favored by the opposing party, the polarization decreases slightly. Such endorsements can also increase overall public support for the president’s position. For instance, Obama’s endorsement of charter schools, typically more popular among Republicans, helped narrow the partisan gap on this issue.

Historical Context

The article places the study within a broader historical context of presidential engagement in education policy. Presidents like Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush have all prominently featured education in their political agendas, using it to shape their political identities. Despite the significant attention from the Oval Office, the federal government plays a relatively minor role in K-12 education, with the majority of funding and decision-making occurring at the state and local levels.

Polarizing Rhetoric

Presidential candidates use education policy to define their political identities and contrast themselves with their opponents. For example, Trump used his education policies to cast himself as a proponent of "patriotic education," while Biden positioned himself as supportive of teachers and less aligned with Obama-era reforms. These rhetorical strategies further reinforce partisan divisions among the electorate.

Implications for Future Elections

The authors suggest that voters should pay attention to moments when candidates break from their party's traditional stance on education issues. Such deviations can potentially shift the debate and reduce polarization. For instance, Trump’s support for historically black colleges and universities, a priority not typically associated with Republican presidents, could influence public opinion in unexpected ways.

Conclusion

The study underscores the complex and often polarizing impact of presidential rhetoric on K-12 education policy. While presidents can shape public discourse, their involvement often deepens partisan divides unless they take surprising positions that resonate across party lines. As the 2024 election approaches, it remains to be seen whether candidates will reinforce their party's education platforms or adopt new stances that could reshape public debate.

For further details, the full article is available at The Conversation.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com