CA Charter Schools Assn. Annual Survey Shows Growing Awareness and Favorable Opinions of Charter Public Schools
California’s parents want options for their kids and 60 percent would consider a charter public school
California public schools have navigated 18 months of extreme disruptions to the delivery of education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and widely divergent supports and approaches. Huddled around screens across the state for a whole year, some students have thrived, while others struggled, making visible not only deep inequities in the systems that support students, but parents gaining unique insight into how best their students learn and raising awareness of different models available. For many, this newfound awareness resulted in exploring different educational opportunities.
The California Charter Schools Association’s recent annual survey reflects the changing opinions of all Californians, especially parents, as they look at the education landscape.
The good news is public opinion of charter schools is at its highest level in six years. The poll shows charter public school favorability increased from 47 percent to 52 percent and reached the highest level since 2015.
Increased awareness tied to increased favorability
This is paired with an increasing awareness of charters. 59 percent of respondents said they know a great deal or some about charter public schools. Those who favor charters are more familiar with them than those who oppose them.
The increases in favorability margin were seen across political ideologies. That margin has most drastically increased with Democrats, with an 8 percent increase over the previous year as favorability rose and opposition fell. Half of independents and 73 percent of Republicans have a favorable view of charters altogether.
These margins have grown through the pandemic. Twenty seven percent of all respondents say that their opinion of charter public schools has grown more favorable over recent years.
All Californians want to see more educational opportunities made available, especially parents
In addition to increases in favorability, more than three in four voters believe that parents have the right to choose a charter school if they think it is better for their child. Even among those who are unsure if they favor or oppose charters, 68 percent believe that parents should have this right.
Parents support charters by a wide margin at 56 percent to 21 percent. By a 24-point margin, 48 percent to 24 percent of voters feel it would be good if districts approved more charter schools. Fifty three percent of parents agree. Meanwhile, 60 percent of parents surveyed say they would consider enrolling their child in a charter school.
Charter public school enrollment increased along with favorability and awareness
Those results are supported by the latest California Department of Education enrollment numbers which show increases in charter public schools. Since the start of the pandemic, more parents have turned to charter schools and their flexible and individualized offerings. It was charter public schools that were able to use their flexibility and ingenuity to quickly adapt to campus closures and mitigate learning loss.
CCSA’s poll mirrors those enrollment shifts and, today, California’s charter schools are providing free, high-quality public educational opportunities to nearly 700,000 students at 1,300 schools across the state. California’s charter schools will continue to adapt and innovate as they have throughout the pandemic.
The past two years have been turbulent for all families as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring a degree of uncertainty, even as schools return to in-person instruction. The impacts on our children and their educations will last for years. California’s charter schools will do their part to ensure that children in every community receive a high-quality education throughout this challenging time.
