Californians Doubt K–12 Education, Support Trump’s Girls’ Sports Policy: Survey Insights
Typically, a majority of Californians maintain that their local public schools are effective in preparing students for college, careers, and active participation in civic life.
However, less than half of Californians believe that the state’s K–12 public education system is on the right track, marking the lowest level of confidence since 2020, as reported by an annual education survey.
The survey indicated that while a majority of Californians are against immigration enforcement in schools and the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, they do support the Trump administration’s policy to restrict male athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports.
In Which Direction?
When asked whether California’s K–12 public education system is “heading in the right direction or the wrong direction,” 45 percent responded “right,” while 51 percent said “wrong,” and 4 percent were unsure. Notably, 56 percent of public school parents answered “right.”
Democrats express more confidence in the education system, with 65 percent believing it’s on the right track, compared to 38 percent of independents and only 16 percent of Republicans.
Almost half of Californians, 49 percent, think that the quality of education has declined over recent years.
Only 10 percent believe it has improved, while 37 percent feel it has remained consistent.
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The disapproval rate regarding educational quality is the highest seen in recent years, apart from 2023’s figure of 57 percent.
Women’s and Girls’ Sports
In early February, President Trump signed an executive order to prohibit male athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports in educational settings.
The survey revealed that a majority of Californians support this executive order.
Specifically, 65 percent of Californians and 71 percent of public school parents agree with the executive order that mandates transgender athletes to compete on teams corresponding to their biological sex rather than their gender identity.
US Department of Education
On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at initiating the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education.
Seventy-one percent of Californians, along with 74 percent of public school parents, oppose this closure, while 27 percent express support and 1 percent are unsure.
Immigration ‘Safe Zones’ in Schools
On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order focusing on increasing federal enforcement against illegal immigration.
The survey found that 63 percent of Californians and 72 percent of public school parents favor declaring their local public school district a “sanctuary ‘safe zone’” to protect undocumented students and their families from immigration enforcement.
Additionally, 69 percent of Californians and 74 percent of public school parents support requiring school staff to maintain confidentiality regarding the immigration status of students and their families.
