Houston, TX — A new national poll from Freedom to Choose Schools (FCS) released today finds Black and Latino voters dissatisfied with the current direction of public education in America. The poll finds that voters want politics out of the classroom and for the focus to be on prioritizing high-quality school options and leadership that reflects the communities they serve. 

“Families are seeking solutions that focus on learning, safety, and accountability. They are tired of the culture wars in the classroom,” said Jay Artis-Wright, Executive Director of Freedom to Choose Schools. “They want high-quality school options, culturally responsive curriculum, and academic programs that prepare their kids for the future, not political interference from either party.”

“There’s a powerful signal in this data,” added Cornell Belcher, President of brilliant corners Research, which conducted the survey. “Black and Latino voters are not buying what either party is selling on education. They’re frustrated by the politics and hungry for solutions that focus on student outcomes, not ideological battles. If you want to earn their trust, start by listening to what actually matters to them, and that’s better teaching, stronger schools, and more opportunity.”

Key findings include:

• The top concern for voters is political interference in schools. A full 68% said political interference in schools is a bigger threat to quality education than funding gaps or teacher shortages.
  

• Black voters in particular are alarmed by efforts to erase Black history. 81% of Black voters rated it a major obstacle to quality education, alongside bans on DEI initiatives.

• Most Black and Latino parents feel the system is failing. Just 25% rated the quality of U.S. public schools as “excellent” or “good,” and more than 70% said their state is not spending enough on education.

• Neither political party is delivering – yet voters still hold out hope that they will. Voters expressed lukewarm feelings toward Democrats and outright rejection of Republicans—while over half said they were dissatisfied with their 2024 ballot choices. The most popular response among parents facing failing schools was to vote for better candidates who prioritize education—not to opt out–leaving the door open for candidates who present a bold education plan that addresses voters’ concerns.

Despite national debates focused on vouchers, book bans, and “woke” curricula, voters are clear about what they want: high-quality school options, including charter schools, homeschools, and microschools, that prepare students for their preferred futures. When asked what makes a school appealing, respondents prioritized academic performance, quality teachers, and school leadership that reflects the community.

“Families are sick and tired of politics getting in the way of education,” said Tiffany Dudley, a Choose Schools parent leader from Arizona. “I want access to school options that reflect our values and meet my child’s needs, but I also want elected leaders to fix what’s broken for everyone.”

“This survey clearly shows what families are demanding: real solutions, not politics, said Janie Seguí Rodríguez, Founder of Stop The Wait Rhode Island and a Choose Schools ally. “With 68 percent saying political interference is a greater threat to quality education than funding gaps or teacher shortages, it’s time to shift focus to student-first priorities. Our children deserve a robust set of public school options that deliver accountability, and opportunity that will prepare them for the 21st century. They don’t have the luxury of time.”

The survey, conducted by brilliant corners Research and Strategies, sampled 702 Black and Latino voters nationwide, with additional oversamples of Black and Latino parents, conducted July 6–17, 2025. The margin of error is ±3.7 percentage points. View the full poll results here.

About Freedom to Choose Schools:

Freedom To Choose Schools is a non-partisan organization that champions fair access to quality school options for all students, recognizing this as a key driver of economic empowerment and educational opportunity.

We believe that all students deserve access to a great school, but we know that many still don’t have that opportunity. That’s why we are committed to advocating for families and communities who too often go unheard, ensuring their needs and voices are at the center of the conversation around public education.