Key Findings

A state budget deficit is changing the fiscal outlook for California public schools while declining enrollment is raising issues about future finances. Later in the year, voters may be deciding on local school bonds and parcel taxes. In our annual education survey, PPIC examines Californians perceptions of the state’s K–12 system, local public schools, post-pandemic recovery, school funding, decisions on curriculum, and early childhood education.

These are among the key findings of the Californians and Education survey that was conducted from March 19–25, 2024:

Forty-seven percent of Californians think the quality of education in the state’s K–12 public schools has gotten worse in the last few years. About half approve of the way that Governor Newsom, the state legislature, and superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond are handling K–12 education.
Eight in ten Californians and public school parents give passing grades but few give “A’s” when asked about the quality of their local public schools. Majorities say that their local public schools are doing an excellent or good job in preparing students for college and for jobs and the workforce.
Fifty-one percent of public school parents think their child fell behind during the pandemic. When asked about the biggest post-pandemic challenge, 46 percent of adults say catching up academically, 33 percent name social-emotional impacts, and 19 percent say readjusting to school schedules.
Forty-six percent of public school parents think that the level of state funding for their local public schools is “not enough.” Majorities of likely voters would vote yes on state and local school bond measures while 44 percent would vote yes on a local parcel tax for school funding.
Sixty-nine percent of Californians oppose individual school boards passing laws to ban certain books. Eighty-four percent are in favor of teaching about the history of slavery and racism, and half are in favor of allowing books with stories about transgender youth in public schools.
Overwhelming majorities think that preschool is important for student success in K–12 schools, while 68 percent are concerned about student readiness for kindergarten in lower-income areas. Sixty-six percent say the state should fund voluntary preschools for all four-year-olds in California.

Approval Ratings and K–12 Policy Direction

Fifty-one percent of Californians and 60 percent of public school parents approve of the way that Governor Gavin Newsom is handling the state’s K–12 public education system (disapprove: 44% adults, 38% public school parents). Approval has declined since two years ago (60% April 2022), and has hit a record low since PPIC first asked this question in 2019. Today, three in four Democrats approve, while a majority of Republicans (83%) and half of independents (50%) disapprove. Approval varies across demographic groups; it is highest among African Americans (66%), Asian Americans (59%), and college graduates (56%). Across the state’s regions, majorities approve only in Los Angeles (55%) and the San Francisco Bay Area (54%; 49% Inland Empire, 48% Central Valley, 48% Orange/San Diego).

About half of adults and six in ten public school parents approve of the way Governor Newsom is handling the state's K–12 public education system

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Surveys, 2019–2024.

Californians today are divided when it comes to the direction of the K–12 public education system. Today, half or fewer California adults (47%) and public school parents (50%) say the system is going in the right direction, while about half or fewer (49% adults, 47% public school parents) say it is going in the wrong direction. The share of adults saying things are headed in the right direction has declined from a majority (57%) in April 2022 and is below 50 percent for the first time since April 2019 (46%), when PPIC first asked this question.

Californians are divided when it comes to the direction of the state's K–12 public education system

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

About half of adults (48%) and a majority of public school parents (55%) approve of the state legislature’s handling of the K–12 public education system; half or fewer disapprove (47% adults, 42% public school parents). This share among adults has declined from the majority who said this in April 2022 (56%). Today, shares vary across demographic and regional groups.

About half of adults (48%) and a majority of public school parents (56%) also approve of California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, while 45 percent of adults and 39 percent of public school parents disapprove. Few say they have not heard enough about him to have an opinion (3% adults, 1% public school parents). Approval varies across demographic and regional groups.

Today, four in ten or more adults (47%) and public school parents (42%) say the quality of education in California’s K–12 public school has gotten worse over the last few years; over one in three say it has stayed the same (36% adults, 37% public school parents), and fewer say the quality has improved (13% adults, 20% public school parents). Four in ten or more across partisan, demographic, and regional groups say it has gotten worse—with the exception of one in three Democrats (34%). Relatedly, over eight in ten adults (32% big problem, 53% somewhat) and public school parents (25% big problem, 56% somewhat) say the quality of education in California’s K–12 public schools is at least somewhat of a problem.

About half approve of the way Governor Newsom, the state legislature, and Superintendent Thurmond are handling California's K–12 education system

% approve

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Local Public Schools

Relatively few Californians would give their local schools a grade of A (9% adults, 10% public school parents), while most would give a B (34% adults, 42% public school parents) or a C (38% adults, 34% public school parents). Many Californians tend to have positive views on how well local schools are preparing students for various aspects of life and about the current level of resources in local schools for low-income students and English language learners.

Majorities of adults and public school parents say their local public schools are doing an excellent or good job preparing students for college (adults: 7% excellent, 53% good; public school parents: 7% excellent, 65% good). Responses for adults and public school parents were similar in April 2022. Today, majorities across most demographic groups, parties and regions hold a positive view. Californians are split on how well local schools are preparing students for jobs and the workforce; about half of adults (5% excellent, 46% good) and a majority of public school parents (6% excellent, 59% good) express positive opinions.

Most say local schools are doing well at preparing students for college; half say schools are preparing students well for the workforce

% excellent/good job at . . .

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Majorities of adults and public school parents also say public schools are doing well at preparing students to be good citizens (adults: 5% excellent, 49% good; public school parents: 6% excellent, 65% good). Less than half of Republicans and independents hold positive views, compared to majorities among Democrats regions, and demographic groups.

An overwhelming majority of adults and public school parents are concerned about the mental health and well-being of students in their local schools (adults: 38% very, 43% somewhat; public school parents: 35% very, 46% somewhat). Strong majorities across parties, regions, and demographic groups express concern for students’ mental health. African Americans (56% very, 31% somewhat), Latinos (47% very, 39% somewhat), adults with incomes under $40,000 (43% very, 43% somewhat) and 18- to 34-year-olds (41% very, 45% somewhat) express particularly high levels of concern.

Seven in ten or more adults and public school parents are very or somewhat concerned about the threat of mass shootings and about families in their local schools experiencing homelessness, while smaller majorities of adults and public school parents are concerned about chronic absenteeism (defined as a student who is absent on 10% or more of school days).

Most are somewhat or very concerned about the mental well-being of students in their local schools

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Solid majorities of adults (63%) and public school parents (62%) think salaries for teachers are too low in their communities; about three in ten say salaries are just about right (27% adults, 33% public school parents), while few say they are too high (7% adults; 3% public school parents). Across regions and demographic groups, majorities say teachers’ salaries are too low. Strong majorities of adults (68%) and public school parents (76%) approve of teachers’ unions, while less than three in ten disapprove (29% adults, 23% public school parents). Solid majorities across regions and demographic groups approve of teachers’ unions, while there is a partisan divide regarding approval (85% Democrats, 42% Republicans, 64% independents).

Californians are divided about the current level of resources for lower-income students in their local public schools. Just over half of adults and public school parents say there are just enough or more than enough resources (adults: 11% more than enough, 40% just enough; public school parents: 9% more than enough, 45% just enough) while 45 percent of adults and 46 percent of public school parents say current resources are not enough. A majority of African Americans (59%), residents earning less than $40,000 (56%), residents in the San Francisco Bay Area (55%), and Democrats (54%) say not enough, compared to fewer among other groups. Meanwhile, solid majorities say the current level of resources for English language learning students is just enough or more than enough (adults: 13% more than enough, 50% just enough; public school parents: 12% more than enough, 56% just enough). Majorities across parties, regions, and demographic groups say these resources are sufficient.

About half say the current level of resources for lower-income students is enough; most say this for English language learners

% more than enough/just enough

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Post-Pandemic Education Recovery

A recent lawsuit settlement will require the state to spend $2 billion on tutoring and other measures to help students recover from pandemic-related learning loss. For many California schoolchildren, 2023–24 was only the second year of fully in-person instruction since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020. These students are trying to catch up academically while dealing with the social-emotional impacts of the pandemic and adjusting to regular routines.

Most Californians say that children in their local public schools fell behind academically during the COVID-19 pandemic, including overwhelming majorities across political parties, regions, and demographic groups. Only about a fifth say children generally either got ahead (2%) or stayed on track (17%).

Most say children in their local schools fell behind academically during the pandemic

% fell behind

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

About half of both parents of school-aged children and public school parents say their child fell behind in terms of their education during the pandemic. About four in ten in both groups think their child stayed on track, while about one in ten say their child got ahead. Among parents of school-aged children, mothers are more likely than fathers to say their child fell behind (56% women, 46% men). Latino parents (58%) are more likely than white parents (43%) to report their child falling behind. A majority of parents who graduated from college (54%) say their child stayed on track during the pandemic, while only about three in ten parents without a college degree say the same.

Half of parents of school-aged children say their child fell behind academically during the pandemic

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Nearly half of adults and public school parents say catching up academically is the biggest post-pandemic challenge for public school students in their community. Another one in three say the biggest challenge is dealing with the social-emotional impacts of the pandemic, and about a fifth say it is re-adjusting to regular school schedules and routines. Four in ten or more across the state’s major regions and most demographic groups say catching up academically is the biggest challenge. Asian Americans, adults ages 18–34, and residents in Orange County/San Diego are the only groups to say dealing with social-emotional impacts is a greater challenge than catching up academically.

Close to half say catching up academically is the biggest post-pandemic challenge for school children

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Funding for Local Public Schools

With the state facing a multibillion-dollar budget gap—but with a Proposition 98 guarantee for K–14 education—46 percent of Californians and about half of public school parents say that the current level of state funding for our local public schools is not enough. About four in ten adults and public school parents say funding is just enough, while relatively few say funding is more than enough. Findings have been similar in recent years. Today, there is a noticeable partisan divide, with 53 percent of Democrats saying funding is not enough compared to fewer independents (40%) and Republicans (35%). Notably, this perception is much more prevalent among women (52%) than men (40%).

Half of public school parents say the level of state funding for their local public school is not enough

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

In March 2020, the $15 billion school construction bond failed—it was the first failed school bond in over 20 years. With a state school construction bond likely to be on the ballot in November, how do Californians feel about such a bond today? A majority of Californians (58%), likely voters (53%), and public school parents (72%) say they would vote yes. Similar shares have supported the idea of a generic school bond in recent years.

Majorities continue to favor a state bond to pay for school construction projects

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Surveys, 2019–2024.

When it comes to local measures, Californians are more likely to support a local school construction bond (55% adults, 50% likely voters, 68% public school parents)—which would require 55 percent support to pass—than they are a local parcel tax increase (44% adults, 42% likely voters, 53% public school parents)—which would require two-thirds support to pass. Overall support for a local school bond has declined slightly since June 2023 (62%) and matches a record low from April 2020. Support for a local parcel tax is similar to June 2023 (42%).

A majority of Californians and about half of likely voters would vote yes on state or local bonds for school construction projects

% who would vote yes

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19- 25 , 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Decisions on Curriculum

Majorities of adults and public school parents oppose individual school boards passing laws to ban certain books and remove them from classrooms and school libraries (adults: 43% strongly, 26% somewhat; public school parents: 30% strongly, 25% somewhat); fewer support this (adults: 9% strongly, 21% somewhat; public school parents: 10% strongly, 33% somewhat). Majorities of Democrats (84%), independents (71%), and Republicans (53%) are opposed. Nationwide, 69 percent of adults are opposed (50% strongly, 19% somewhat) according to the May 2023 NPR/Ipsos poll.

Similarly, majorities of adults and public school parents oppose individual school boards creating policies to restrict what subjects teachers and students can discuss in the classroom (adults: 31% strongly, 27% somewhat, public school parents: 24% strongly, 29% somewhat). There is a similar partisan divide on this issue, and adults nationwide (34% strongly oppose, 25% somewhat oppose) are about as likely as Californians to oppose this, according to the NPR/Ipsos poll.

When it comes to teaching about the history of slavery, racism, and segregation in public schools, over eight in ten adults and public school parents strongly or somewhat support this (adults: 54% strongly, 30% somewhat; public school parents: 52% strongly, 37% somewhat). Majorities across partisan groups strongly or somewhat support this, with some variation. Support among adults nationwide (56% strongly support, 23% somewhat support) is similar to support among Californians overall.

Nearly seven in ten adults oppose individual school boards passing laws to ban and remove certain books from classrooms and school libraries

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Californians are divided when it comes to allowing books with stories about transgender youth in public schools (50% support, 49% oppose), while a majority of public school parents say they are opposed (57%, 42% support). Three in four Democrats (74%) support this, while eight in ten Republicans (81%) oppose it, and independents are divided (51% support, 48% oppose). Californians overall are far more likely to support this than are adults nationwide (37% support, 44% oppose, 19% not sure), according to a January YouGov poll on transgender policy issues.

When it comes to allowing public schools to include lessons on transgender issues, 53 percent of adults and 58 percent of public school parents oppose, while four in ten or more support this (46% adults, 42% public school parents). Partisans are divided on this issue as well. Californians are far more likely than adults across the US to support this (32% support, 50% oppose, 18% not sure), according to the YouGov poll.

Half of adults and fewer public school parents support allowing books with stories about transgender youth in public schools

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Californians are divided when it comes to how teachers should be allowed to teach. About half of adults and public school parents (49% each) say public school teachers should be permitted to teach their subjects as they think best, while half (48% adults, 50% public school parents) say there should be state laws setting rules on what teachers can and cannot teach. Similar to Californians, adults nationwide are somewhat divided on this issue (51% state laws are needed (47% teachers should teach as they think best), according to a Phi Delta Kappa/Langer Research Associates poll conducted in June 2023.

Californians are divided when it comes to letting teachers teach as they think best or having state laws to set rules on what teachers are allowed to teach

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Early Childhood Education

Governor Newsom has made early education a focus, and the 2023–24 school year marks the second year of a plan under AB 130 to offer pre-kindergarten to all four-year-olds by 2025–26. Three in four Californians continue to say that attending preschool is very or somewhat important to a student’s success in kindergarten through grade 12, while about one in five say it is not too or not at all important. More than three in four Californians have said this is important dating back to 2006. Today, public school parents are more likely than adults overall to say attending preschool is very important. And while partisans agree that attending preschool is important, Democrats (54%) are far more likely than independents (34%) and Republicans (29%) to say it is very important. Notably, majorities of African Americans and Latinos say preschool is very important, compared to fewer than four in ten of Asian Americans and whites.

Most Californians think attending preschool is important

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1, 605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

California adults and public school parents are concerned about how ready lower-income students may be for kindergarten (adults: 24% very, 44% somewhat; public school parents: 23% very, 46% somewhat). Partisans are divided, but about six in ten or more across regions and demographic groups are concerned. When asked about the readiness of students who speak English as a second language, majorities of Californians (19% very, 41% somewhat) and public school parents (17% very, 40% somewhat) are concerned. Partisans are once again divided, while majorities across regions and demographic groups are concerned about the readiness of English language learners. On both questions, findings today are similar to those in recent years.

Most Californians worry whether students in lower-income areas and students who are English language learners are ready for kindergarten

% very or somewhat concerned

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25, 2024 (n=1, 605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

When asked about the quality and affordability of preschool education in California, strong majorities say that both affordability (81%) and quality (65%) are at least somewhat of a problem. However, adults and public school parents are twice as likely to see affordability (39% each adults and public school parents) as a big problem as they are to say quality is a big problem (17% adults, 18% public school parents).

As the state continues to implement free preschool for four-year olds in California, is this a policy that most Californians support? About two in three or more adults, likely voters, and public school parents say that the state government should fund voluntary preschool programs, such as transitional kindergarten, for all four-year-olds in California. Solid majorities have held this view since we first asked this question in April 2014. Democrats are about twice as likely as Republicans to say the state should do this, and six in ten independents agree with Democrats. Outside of the partisan divide, there is widespread agreement: six in ten or more across regions and demographic groups—except white adults (57%) and those 55 and older (57%)—say that the state should fund these programs.

A strong majority of Californians think the state should fund voluntary preschool programs for all four-year-olds in California

SOURCE: PPIC Statewide Survey, April 2024. Survey was fielded from March 19-25 , 2024 (n=1,605 adults, n=1,089 likely voters, and n=252 public school parents).

Regional Map

Methodology

The PPIC Statewide Survey on Education was launched in April 2006. The coauthors of the 2024 report include survey director Mark Baldassare, who holds the Miller Chair in Public Policy; associate survey director and research fellow Dean Bonner; survey analyst Lauren Mora; and survey analyst Deja Thomas, who was the project manager for this survey. The Californians and Education survey this year is supported with funding from the Arjay R. and Frances F. Miller Foundation, Stuart Foundation, and Windy Hill Fund. The PPIC Statewide Survey invites input, comments, and suggestions from policy and public opinion experts and from its own advisory committee, but survey methods, questions, and content are determined solely by PPIC’s survey team.

Findings in this report are based on a survey of 1,605 California adult residents. The median time to complete the survey was 18 minutes. Interviews were conducted from March 19–25, 2024.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos, using its online KnowledgePanel, in English and Spanish according to respondents’ preferences. KnowledgePanel members are recruited through probability-based sampling and include both those with internet access and those without. KnowledgePanel provides internet access for those who do not have it and, if needed, a device to access the internet when they join the panel. KnowledgePanel members are primarily recruited using address-based sampling (ABS) methodology, which improves population coverage, particularly for hard-to-reach populations such as young adults and minority groups. ABS-recruited Latinos are supplemented with a dual-frame random digit dialing (RDD) sampling methodology that targets telephone exchanges associated with areas with a higher concentration of Latinos to provide the capability to conduct representative online surveys with Latinos, including those who speak only Spanish. KnowledgePanel’s recruitment was originally based on a national RDD frame and switched to the primarily ABS-based methodology in 2009. KnowledgePanel includes households with landlines and cell phones, including those with cellphones only and those without phones. ABS allows probability-based sampling of addresses from the US Postal Service’s Delivery Sequence File (DSF). The DSF-based sampling frame used for address selection is enhanced with a series of refinements—such as the appendage of various ancillary data to each address from commercial and government data sources—to facilitate complex stratification plans. Taking advantage of such refinements, quarterly samples are selected using a stratified sampling methodology that aims to retain the representativeness of the panel. KnowledgePanel recruits new panel members throughout the year to offset panel attrition.

To qualify for the survey, a panel member must be age 18 or older and reside in California. A general population sample of Californians was selected using Ipsos’s PPS (probability proportional to size) sampling procedure to select study-specific samples. Briefly, to select such samples, the panel is first weighted to population benchmarks and those panel weights are used as the measure of size for a PPS sample selection that yields a fully representative sample. A total of 1,651 respondents completed the survey out of 3,080 panelists who were sampled, for a response rate of 54 percent. To ensure the highest data quality, we flagged respondents who sped through the survey, which we defined as completing the survey in one-fourth of the overall median time (less than 4.6 minutes). We also flagged respondents if their self-reported age or gender did not match the data stored in their profile. A total of 46 cases were removed after this review process, resulting in 1,605 total qualified and valid cases.

Accent on Languages, Inc., translated new survey questions into Spanish, with assistance from Renatta DeFever.

Ipsos uses the US Census Bureau’s 2017–2021 American Community Survey’s (ACS) Public Use Microdata Series for California (with regional coding information from the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Public Use Microdata Series for California) to compare certain demographic characteristics of the survey sample—region, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education—with the characteristics of California’s adult population. The survey sample was closely comparable to the ACS figures. We also used voter registration data from the California Secretary of State to compare the party registration of registered voters in our sample to party registration statewide. The sample of Californians is first weighted using an initial sampling or base weight that corrects for any differences in the probability of selecting various segments of the KnowledgePanel sample. This base weight is further adjusted using an iterative proportional fitting (raking) procedure that aligns sample demographics to population benchmarks from the 2017–2021 ACS data as well as party registration benchmarks from the California Secretary of State’s voter registration file.

The sampling error, taking design effects from weighting into consideration, is ±3.3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level for the total unweighted sample of 1,605 adults. This means that 95 times out of 100, the results will be within 3.3 percentage points of what they would be if all adults in California were interviewed. The sampling error for unweighted subgroups is larger: for the 1,387 registered voters, the sampling error is ±3.5 percent; for the 1,089 likely voters, it is ±3.9 percent; for the 338 parents of children under 18 it is ±6.7 percent; for the 269 parents of school-aged children it is ±7.5 percent; and for the 252 public school parents it is ±7.7 percent. Sampling error is only one type of error to which surveys are subject. Results may also be affected by factors such as question wording, question order, and survey timing.

We present results for five geographic regions, accounting for approximately 90 percent of the state population. “Central Valley” includes Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. “San Francisco Bay Area” includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties. “Los Angeles” refers to Los Angeles County, “Inland Empire” refers to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and “Orange/San Diego” refers to Orange and San Diego Counties. Residents of other geographic areas are included in the results reported for all adults, registered voters, and likely voters, but sample sizes for these less-populous areas are not large enough to report separately.

We present results for non-Hispanic whites, who account for 40 percent of the state’s adult population, and also for Latinos, who account for 36 percent of the state’s adult population and constitute one of the fastest-growing voter groups. We also present results for non-Hispanic Asian Americans, who make up about 16 percent of the state’s adult population, and non-Hispanic African Americans, who comprise about 5 percent. Results for other racial/ethnic groups—such as Native Americans—are included in the results reported for all adults, registered voters, and likely voters, but sample sizes are not large enough for separate analysis. Results for African American and Asian American likely voters are combined with those of other racial/ethnic groups because sample sizes for African American and Asian American likely voters are too small for separate analysis. We compare the opinions of those who report they are registered Democrats, registered Republicans, and decline-to-state or independent voters; the results for those who say they are registered to vote in other parties are not large enough for separate analysis. We also analyze the responses of likely voters—so designated per their responses to survey questions about voter registration, previous election participation, intentions to vote this year, attention to election news, and current interest in politics.

Sample sizes and margins of error for each subgroup are presented in the table below.

The percentages presented in the report tables and in the questionnaire may not add to 100 due to rounding.

We compare current PPIC Statewide Survey results to those in our earlier surveys and national surveys conducted by YouGov, NPR/Ipsos, EdChoice/Morning Consult, and Phi Delta Kappa/Langer Research. Numerous questions were adapted from the national surveys by Education Next, Gallup, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the National Parents Union, Phi Delta Kappa/Langer Research, YouGov, NPR/Ipsos, CBS News/YouGov, and the PACE/USC Rossier School of Education. Additional details about our methodology can be found at www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/SurveyMethodology.pdf and are available upon request through surveys@ppic.org.

Methodology

Findings in this report are based on a survey of 1,605 California adult residents. The median time to complete the survey was 18 minutes. Interviews were conducted from March 19–25, 2024.

Accent on Languages, Inc., translated new survey questions into Spanish, with assistance from Renatta DeFever.

Sample sizes and margins of error for each subgroup are presented in the table below.

The percentages presented in the report tables and in the questionnaire may not add to 100 due to rounding.

table - Unweighted N-size and margin of error

Questions and Responses

March 19–25, 2024
1,605 California Adult Residents:
English, Spanish

Margin of error ±3.3% at 95% confidence level for total sample
Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way that Governor Newsom is handling the state’s kindergarten through 12th grade public education system?

51% approve
44% disapprove
5% don’t know

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way that the California Legislature is handling the state’s kindergarten through 12th grade public education system?

48% approve
47% disapprove
5% don’t know

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way that California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, is handling the state’s K–12 public education system?

48% approve
45% disapprove
3% have not heard enough about him to have an opinion (volunteered)
4% don’t know

4. Thinking about the kindergarten through 12th grade public education system overall in California today, do you think it is generally going in the right direction or the wrong direction?

47% right direction
49% wrong direction
5% don’t know

Next,

5. What do you think is the most important issue facing California’s K–12 public schools today?

10% concerns about standards/quality of education
10% lack of funding
9% concerns about political ideology influencing education
7% concerns about curriculum
6% quality of teachers
5% inadequate preparation for college/life
4% safety/security
4% teacher retention/shortage
3% bullying
3% large class sizes
3% lack of discipline/behavior of children
2% low teacher pay
25% other (specify)
8% don’t know

6. In your opinion, what is the most important goal of California’s K–12 public schools?

[rotate top to bottom/bottom to top with “other” always last]

30% teaching students life skills
19% preparing students for college
19% teaching students the basics
14% preparing students for the workforce
13% preparing students to be good citizens
5% other (specify)
1% don’t know

7. How much of a problem is the quality of education in California’s K–12 public schools today?

32% big problem
53% somewhat of a problem
13% not much of a problem
2% don’t know

8. Over the past few years, do you think the quality of education in California’s K–12 public schools has improved, gotten worse, or stayed the same?

13% improved
47% gotten worse
36% stayed the same
4% don’t know

9. Overall, do you think the K–12 public education system in California is in need of major changes, minor changes, or that it is basically fine the way it is?

50% major changes
40% minor changes
8% fine the way it is
3% don’t know

Next,

[rotate questions 10 and 11]

10. [parents of school-aged children only] Do you think that in terms of their education during the COVID-19 pandemic, your school-aged child generally…?

10% got ahead
39% stayed on track
51% fell behind
– don’t know

11. Do you think that in terms of their education during the COVID-19 pandemic, children in your local public schools generally…?

2% got ahead
17% stayed on track
78% fell behind
2% don’t know

12. Which of these do you think is the biggest challenge for public school students in your community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic?

[rotate response options]

46% catching up academically
33% dealing with the social-emotional impacts of the pandemic
19% re-adjusting to regular school schedules and routines
– all of the above
– none
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

[rotate questions 13 and 14]

13. How concerned are you that California’s K–12 public schools in lower-income areas have a shortage of good teachers compared to schools in wealthier areas? Are you…

39% very concerned
42% somewhat concerned
14% not too concerned
3% not at all concerned
2% don’t know

14. How concerned are you that California’s K–12 public school students in lower-income areas are less likely than other students to be ready for college when they finish high school? Are you…

34% very concerned
45% somewhat concerned
15% not too concerned
4% not at all concerned
2% don’t know

15. Next, how much, if anything, have you heard about students who are English language learners in California?

17% a lot
48% a little
34% nothing at all
1% don’t know

16. How concerned are you about improving student outcomes for English language learners in California today? Are you…

20% very concerned
47% somewhat concerned
25% not too concerned
6% not at all concerned
1% don’t know

17. In thinking about priorities for the kindergarten through 12th grade public education system in California, do you think that efforts to improve student outcomes for English language learners should be a…?

[rotate order top to bottom]

13% very high priority
33% high priority
40% medium priority
10% low priority
3% very low priority
2% don’t know

18. How important is improving student outcomes for English language learners for California’s future economic well-being and quality of life?

40% very important
45% somewhat important
10% not too important
3% not at all important
2% don’t know

19. If it means less funding for other school districts, do you think school districts that have more English language learners should or should not get more funding from the state?

53% should
44% should not
3% don’t know

20. To try to improve the academic performance of English language learners, would you favor or oppose providing extra assistance to these students, even if it means they receive more assistance than other students?

65% favor
32% oppose
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

[rotate questions 21 and 22]

21. Where do you think California currently ranks in per pupil spending for K–12 public schools? Compared to other states, is California’s spending near the top, above average, average, below average, or near the bottom?

10% near the top
20% above average
39% average
21% below average
5% near the bottom
4% don’t know

22. Where do you think California currently ranks in student test scores for K–12 public schools? Compared to other states, are California’s student test scores near the top, above average, average, below average, or near the bottom?

3% near the top
11% above average
42% average
31% below average
9% near the bottom
3% don’t know

23. Next, overall, how would you rate the quality of public schools in your neighborhood today? If you had to give your local public schools a grade, would it be A, B, C, D, or F? Think of grades A to F as a scale where A is the best and F is failing.

9% A
34% B
38% C
11% D
5% F
3% don’t know

[rotate questions 24 through 26]

24. Are your local public schools doing an excellent, good, not so good, or poor job in preparing students for college?

7% excellent
53% good
31% not so good
6% poor
3% don’t know

25. Are your local public schools doing an excellent, good, not so good, or poor job in preparing students for jobs and the workforce?

5% excellent
46% good
38% not so good
8% poor
3% don’t know

26. Are your local public schools doing an excellent, good, not so good, or poor job in preparing students to be good citizens?

5% excellent
49% good
33% not so good
9% poor
3% don’t know

On another topic,

27. Do you think the current level of state funding for your local public schools is more than enough, just enough, or not enough?

11% more than enough
40% just enough
46% not enough
4% don’t know

28. If the state ballot had a bond measure to pay for school construction projects, would you vote yes or no?

58% yes
39% no
3% don’t know

[rotate questions 29 and 30]

29. If your local school district had a bond measure on the ballot to pay for school construction projects, would you vote yes or no?

55% yes
42% no
3% don’t know

30. What if there was a measure on your local ballot to increase local parcel taxes to provide more funds for the local public schools? Would you vote yes or no?

44% yes
54% no
3% don’t know

31. [likely voters only] Proposition 39 is the 2000 ballot measure passed by voters that authorized local school districts to issue bonds for construction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities if passed by 55 percent of local voters. It authorized raising property taxes higher than the existing 1 percent limit by 55 percent vote, rather than the two thirds required to pay the local bonds. Overall, do you feel that passing Proposition 39 turned out to be mostly a good thing for California or mostly a bad thing?

47% mostly good thing
48% mostly bad thing
5% don’t know

[rotate questions 32 and 33]

32. Do you think the current level of resources for lower-income students in your local public schools is more than enough, just enough, or not enough?

11% more than enough
40% just enough
45% not enough
4% don’t know

33. Do you think the current level of resources for English language learners in your local public schools is more than enough, just enough, or not enough?

13% more than enough
50% just enough
32% not enough
5% don’t know

Following are issues people have mentioned when talking about teachers in California’s K–12 public schools today. Please answer if you think it is a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not really a problem.

[rotate questions 34 and 35]

34. How about teacher quality?

33% big problem
49% somewhat of a problem
15% not really a problem
2% don’t know

35. How about a shortage of teachers?

52% big problem
38% somewhat of a problem
8% not really a problem
2% don’t know

Next,

36. Do you think salaries for teachers in your community are too high, too low, or just about right?

[rotate response options 1 and 2, with 3 always last]

7% too high
63% too low
27% just about right
4% don’t know

37. Do you approve or disapprove of teachers’ unions?

68% approve
29% disapprove
3% don’t know

On another topic,

38. How much, if anything, have you heard about the Local Control Funding Formula, a policy that changes the way K–12 public school districts are funded in California?

3% a lot
18% a little
78% nothing at all
1% don’t know

39. The Local Control Funding Formula provides additional funding to school districts that have more [rotate] [1] [English language learners] [and] [2] [lower-income students] and gives local school districts more flexibility over how state funding is spent. In general, do you favor or oppose this policy?

66% favor
30% oppose
4% don’t know

40. As the state implements the Local Control Funding Formula, do you think the academic achievement of [rotate in same order as question 39] [English language learners] [and] [lower-income students] will or will not improve? (If Improve, ask: “Do you think it will improve a lot or somewhat?”)

14% improve a lot
45% improve somewhat
1% improve but now sure how much
35% will not improve
5% don’t know

41. [public school parents only] The Local Control Funding Formula requires school districts to seek input from parents in developing and revising their accountability plans for how to allocate resources. Has your child’s school or school district provided you with information about how to become involved, or not?

32% yes
66% no
2% don’t know

42. On another topic, do you think that the state government should or should not fund voluntary preschool programs, such as transitional kindergarten, for all four-year-olds in California?

66% should
31% should not
3% don’t know

43. How important is attending preschool to a student’s success in kindergarten through grade 12?

43% very important
34% somewhat important
15% not too important
7% not at all important
1% don’t know

[rotate questions 44 and 45]

44. How much of a problem is the quality of preschool education in California today?

17% big problem
48% somewhat of a problem
30% not much of a problem
5% don’t know

45. How much of a problem is the affordability of preschool education in California today?

39% big problem
42% somewhat of a problem
14% not much of a problem
4% don’t know

[rotate questions 46 and 47]

46. How concerned are you that children in lower-income areas are less likely than other children to be ready for kindergarten? Are you…

24% very concerned
44% somewhat concerned
23% not too concerned
9% not at all concerned
2% don’t know

47. How concerned are you that students who speak English as a second language are less likely than other children to be ready for kindergarten? Are you…

19% very concerned
41% somewhat concerned
27% not too concerned
11% not at all concerned
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

48. How important to you is it that your local public schools include career technical or vocational education as part of the curriculum?

55% very important
34% somewhat important
8% not too important
2% not at all important
1% don’t know

49. Next, if you had to choose, which do you think is more important for young people to succeed today—[rotate] [1] earning a college degree from a well-respected university [or] [2] obtaining the knowledge or skills needed to do a specific job?

24% earning a college degree
75% obtaining knowledge or skills
1% don’t know

50. In general, how well do you think your local public schools prepare someone for a well-paying job in today’s economy?

7% very well
33% somewhat well
46% not too well
11% not at all well
3% don’t know

Next,

51. Do you think [rotate] [1] public school teachers should be permitted to teach their subjects as they think best, [or] do you think [2] there should be state laws setting rules on what teachers can and cannot teach?

49% public school teachers should be permitted to teach their subjects as they think best
48% there should be state laws setting rules on what teachers can and cannot teach
3% don’t know

To what extent, if at all, do you support or oppose each of the following?

[rotate questions 52 through 54]

52. Individual school boards passing laws to ban certain books and remove them from classrooms and school libraries

9% strongly support
21% somewhat support
26% somewhat oppose
43% strongly oppose
1% don’t know

53. Individual school boards creating policies to restrict what subjects teachers and students can discuss in the classroom

9% strongly support
31% somewhat support
27% somewhat oppose
31% strongly oppose
1% don’t know

54. Teaching about the history of slavery, racism, and segregation in public schools

54% strongly support
30% somewhat support
11% somewhat oppose
4% strongly oppose
1% don’t know

55. Do you think that teaching about the history of race in America helps students understand what others have gone through, or not?

79% yes
20% no
1% don’t know

On another topic,

[rotate questions 56 through 58]

56. Would you support or oppose allowing books in public schools with stories about transgender youth?

50% support
49% oppose
1% don’t know

57. Would you support or oppose allowing public schools to include lessons on transgender issues?

46% support
53% oppose
1% don’t know

58. Would you support or oppose allowing public schools to accommodate students’ requests to go by pronouns that match their gender identity, rather than their sex assigned at birth?

47% support
51% oppose
2% don’t know

59. [parents of school-aged children] Next, what do you hope will be the highest grade level that your youngest child will achieve?

2% some high school
12% high school graduate
18% two-year community college graduate or career technical training
28% four-year college graduate
40% a graduate degree after college
– don’t know

60. [parents of school-aged children] Next, how worried are you about being able to afford a college education for your youngest child?

39% very worried
34% somewhat worried
20% not too worried
7% not at all worried
– don’t know

Changing topics,

[rotate questions 61 through 64]

61. How concerned are you about the threat of a mass shooting in your local schools? Are you…

39% very concerned
32% somewhat concerned
24% not too concerned
5% not at all concerned
1% don’t know

62. How concerned are you about students and their families in your local schools experiencing homelessness? Are you…

32% very concerned
38% somewhat concerned
23% not too concerned
6% not at all concerned
1% don’t know

63. How concerned are you about the mental health and well-being of students in your local public schools? Are you…

38% very concerned
43% somewhat concerned
15% not too concerned
3% not at all concerned
1% don’t know

64. According to the California Department of Education, a “chronic absentee” is defined as a student who is absent on 10% or more of the total school days in the school year. How concerned are you about chronic absenteeism in your local public schools? Are you…

22% very concerned
41% somewhat concerned
28% not too concerned
9% not at all concerned
1% don’t know

65. Next, some people are registered to vote and others are not. Are you absolutely certain that you are registered to vote in California?

86% yes [ask q65a]
14% no [skip to q66b]

65a. Are you registered as a Democrat, a Republican, another party, or are you registered as a decline-to-state or independent voter?

49% Democrat [ask q66]
24% Republican [skip q66a]
2% another party (specify) [skip to q67]
25% decline-to-state/independent [skip to 66b]

66. Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or not a very strong Democrat?

58% strong
42% not very strong
– don’t know

[skip to q67]

66a. Would you call yourself a strong Republican or not a very strong Republican?

56% strong
43% not very strong
– don’t know

[skip to q67]

66b. Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or Democratic Party?

34% Republican Party
59% Democratic Party
6% neither (volunteered)
1% don’t know

67. [likely voters only] If the November 5th US Senate election were being held today, and these were the candidates, who would you vote for?

[randomize candidates]

61% Adam Schiff, a Democrat, United States Representative
37% Steve Garvey, a Republican, Professional Baseball Representative
2% don’t know

67a. [likely voters only] Proposition 14 is the 2010 ballot measure passed by voters that changed California’s state primary elections from a partially closed system to a top-two primary system in which voters now cast primary election ballots for any candidate—regardless of party—and the two candidates receiving the most votes—regardless of party—advance to the general election. Overall, do you feel that passing Proposition 14 turned out to be mostly a good thing for California or mostly a bad thing?

68% mostly good thing
27% mostly bad thing
5% don’t know

68. [likely voters only] In general, would you say you are satisfied or not satisfied with your choices of candidates in the election for US Senate on November 5th?

62% satisfied
35% not satisfied
3% don’t know

69. [likely voters only] If the 2024 presidential election were being held today, and these were the candidates, who would you vote for?

[randomize candidates]

54% Joe Biden
31% Donald Trump
11% someone else (specify)
1% neither/would not vote for President
2% don’t know

70. [likely voters only] In general, would you say you are satisfied or not satisfied with your choices of candidates in the election for US President in 2024?

36% satisfied
64% not satisfied
– don’t know

71. [likely voters only] How closely are you following news about candidates for the 2024 presidential election?

31% very closely
43% fairly closely
22% not too closely
3% not at all closely
– don’t know

72. [likely voters only] How enthusiastic would you say you are about voting for President this year—extremely enthusiastic, very enthusiastic, somewhat enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not at all enthusiastic?

[rotate order top to bottom/bottom to top]

25% extremely enthusiastic
14% very enthusiastic
19% somewhat enthusiastic
22% not too enthusiastic
21% not at all enthusiastic
– don’t know

73. [likely voters only] If the 2024 election for US House of Representatives were being held today, would you vote for [rotate] [1] the Republican candidate [or] [2] the Democratic candidate] in your district?

[If respondent tries to refuse/skip ask: “As of today, do you lean more toward [read in same order as above] [1] the Republican candidate [OR] [2] the Democratic candidate?”]

38% Republican candidate
60% Democratic candidate
3% don’t know

74. [likely voters only] How enthusiastic would you say you are about voting for Congress this year—extremely enthusiastic, very enthusiastic, somewhat enthusiastic, not too enthusiastic, or not at all enthusiastic?

[rotate order top to bottom/bottom to top]

16% extremely enthusiastic
14% very enthusiastic
30% somewhat enthusiastic
24% not too enthusiastic
16% not at all enthusiastic
– don’t know

75. Next, would you consider yourself to be politically: [rotate order top to bottom]

12% very liberal
21% somewhat liberal
40% middle-of-the-road
18% somewhat conservative
8% very conservative
1% don’t know

76. Generally speaking, how much interest would you say you have in politics—a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or none?

21% great deal
39% fair amount
28% only a little
11% none
– don’t know

[d1–d15 demographic questions]