A new statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows that Californians’ confidence in public schools and in how Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers are handling education has dropped significantly since the pandemic.
PPIC released the findings last week, highlighting the growing frustration across the state, especially among Black and Latino families.
Half of California’s adults say K-12 schools are headed in the wrong direction. Just five years ago, most Californians believed schools were improving. Now, only 50% approve of Newsom’s leadership on education, a sharp drop from 73% in 2020.
The survey also highlights that Black Californians are among the most concerned about key issues like chronic absenteeism, declining enrollment, and school funding. About one in three Black adults said absenteeism is a major concern, compared to just 14% of White and Asian adults.
Because school funding depends on attendance, these issues could have a deeper impact on Black communities, advocates point out.
Nearly all Californians agree that teacher pay is too low. Many Black and Hispanic parents also expressed growing support for school choice programs like vouchers, signaling dissatisfaction with the current public school system.
Although California has a funding law that gives extra support to districts with more low-income students and English learners, most parents surveyed said their schools are not asking for community input on how that money is spent.
The PPIC survey was conducted in both English and Spanish and shows that California’s school recovery efforts continue to face challenges. Families are calling for more communication, stronger leadership, and equity in classrooms.
For many Black parents and students, the message is clear: schools must do more to meet the moment and deliver on the promise of education for all.