American adults are expressing unprecedented dissatisfaction with the nation's school system, with a recent survey showing satisfaction levels at a 27-year low. According to data from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, only 32% of adults reported being "completely" or "somewhat" satisfied with the U.S. education system this year.
This marks a significant decline from previous years, with an 11-point drop in satisfaction over the past two years. In 2024, 43% of U.S. adults were satisfied, a figure that stood at 51% before the pandemic in 2019. Dissatisfaction has steadily risen in parallel, reaching a record-high 67% this year.
Experts have voiced concern over these trends, with some suggesting the decline is linked to years of diminishing national test scores. A May study by academics from Harvard, Dartmouth, and Stanford universities found that only five out of 38 states showed meaningful improvement on tests between 2022 and 2025. Nationwide, students' reading scores are reportedly a half-grade level behind pre-pandemic levels, with math scores showing only slightly better performance.
"We’ve had a drumbeat of bad news about test scores and other social trends that could be driving this," said Sarah Reckhow, a political science professor at Michigan State University. The current political climate, with classrooms framed as ideological battlegrounds, may also be a contributing factor. Satisfaction among Democrats has seen a notable slip since 2025, while Republicans and independents have also shown decreased approval.
Despite the overall low approval ratings for the national education system, parents with children currently enrolled reported higher satisfaction levels, with approximately 66% expressing satisfaction. However, this figure also represents a low point in recent years, with only 2013 showing similar parent satisfaction rates. A separate Gallup survey indicated that only 20% of adults believe U.S. schools are effectively preparing students for the workforce.
"People have a general negative vibe about everything in the country right now," commented Zach Hrynowski, a senior researcher at Gallup. "People are frustrated, and don’t think any institution is working particularly well."