SAN FRANCISCO – (INT) – California voters may decide on local school bonds and parcel taxes later this year. A new survey may offer clues on their preferences.

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found:

- Forty-seven percent of Californians think the quality of education in the state’s K–12 public schools has gotten worse in the last few years.

-Eight in ten Californians and public school parents give passing grades but few give “A’s” when asked about the quality of their local public schools.

-Fifty-one percent of public school parents think their child fell behind during the pandemic.

In the Inland Empire, 53% told the PPIC that state's K–12 public education system is going the wrong way.

Seventy-four percent believe the current level of resources for lower-income students is enough; most say this for English language learners.

Fifty-three percent of public school parents say the level of state funding for their local public school is not enough.

Fifty-four percent would vote ‘yes’ on state or local bonds for school construction projects.

Only 39 percent in the Inland Empire think public school teachers should be permitted to teach their subjects as they think best.

Story Date: April 19, 2024