New polling data, out from EdChoice in the organization’s annual Schooling in America Survey, show safety is the top reason parents choose a public charter school. In fact, safety is also a primary reason parents choose private or homeschooling options for their children.
The EdChoice survey, conducted in April and released in August, queried 2,319 parents of school-age children as well as 1,502 members of the general population. In addition to asking parents about key reasons for their school choices, the survey also assessed parental and public views on the direction of education in America, various school choice policies, technology, and more.
We share some key findings below.
Safety tops the list of factors driving parents’ schooling choices–for most school models. It’s cited as a primary concern by:
- 37% of charter school parents
- 36% of private school parents
- 53% of home school parents
The second most frequently cited reason for choosing a charter school is academic quality or reputation (36%).
Location or proximity to home or work is the top reason parents provide for choosing a district public school.
Source: EdChoice, “2024 Schooling in America Survey.”
Overall direction of education and school quality
Parents are increasingly pessimistic about education overall, and many are dissatisfied with their local public schools.
Almost two-thirds of parents (64%) believe education is on the wrong track. Private school parents and charter school parents are more likely to say that education is headed in the right direction, compared to district or homeschool parents.
Source: EdChoice.
In addition, just 46% of parents would give their local district schools a grade of “A” or “B” for school quality. This represents a 7-point drop just since last year. Among charter school parents, 62% would give their local charter schools an “A” or “B.”
Source: EdChoice.
Support for school choice policies
Parents voice strong support for school choice options. Among the various school choice policies, education savings accounts (ESAs) top the list in terms of parental support. Charter schools are not as popular as some other school choice policies but still garner majority support–from 72% of parents and 63% of the public.
Source: EdChoice.
Source: EdChoice.
Technology in education
Parents are generally supportive of virtual learning options. A majority prefer either a part-time (58%) or full-time (53%) virtual option for their child’s schooling.
Source: EdChoice.
Read a summary of survey findings.
View EdChoice’s Schooling in America Survey Dashboard.
