WHILE PARENTS ARE LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF TENNESSEE’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SOME ARE FEELING LESS CONFIDENT THAT SCHOOLS ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Our January 2022 statewide survey found that while parents are still largely positive about the state’s public school system, confidence about the future is starting to drop. The survey, which builds upon prior polling conducted in November 2020, saw a decline in parents’ confidence in Tennessee public schools, with 30% responding that public schools are moving in the “wrong direction” and nearly a quarter (24%) expressing dissatisfaction with the public school experience.
Top findings from the survey include:
84% of parents want an improved public school funding formula that ensures resources are allocated based on the needs of each student.
Almost all parents (92%) want to see a funding formula that allocates resources in a way that focuses on ensuring positive academic outcomes for students
8 in 10 parents (85%) want public schools to provide individualized learning plans for all students that detail the strategies, accommodations, and goals to help each child be successful.
The majority of parents (87%) believe it is important to be able to choose a public school that best meets their child’s needs, and 89% of parents want more public education options.
Most parents (75%) believe annual testing is important to evaluate students’ progress, and 74% believe testing should be used to hold school leaders accountable for results (74%).