A new Gallup Social Series Poll found that slightly more Americans are satisfied with the state of K-12 education in the country than in 2023. However, dissatisfaction rates are still higher than those who feel good about the U.S. education system.

When asked, “How satisfied are you with the quality of education students receive in kindergarten through grade 12 in the U.S. today,” only 43% indicated they were “completely” or “somewhat satisfied.” The dissatisfaction rate was 55%, down from an all-time high of 63% in 2023.

The 2019 and 2020 polls were the only years since 2004 that satisfaction in K-12 education was higher than dissatisfaction, though the difference was marginal. The gap widened significantly between 2021 and 2023.

As with most political issues in the U.S., there is a partisan divide. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents, 53% are satisfied with the state of K-12 education, compared to only 33% of Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents.

The numbers are significantly different when respondents are narrowed down to parents of children in school, and the question is about their personal experiences. To the question, “How satisfied are you with the quality of education your oldest child is receiving,” 70% of parents answered “somewhat” or “completely satisfied.”

Since the Gallup poll on education satisfaction began in 1999, K-12 satisfaction rates among parents for their child’s own education situation have never dipped below 67%. In 1999, the satisfaction rate was 83%.

The poll also found that 44% of parents of K-12 students fear for their child’s physical safety, the highest percentage since 2001.

It should be noted that the questions asked in the poll did not distinguish between public and private schools.

Information on this Gallup poll, including methodology, can be found here.