Survey Reveals Overwhelming Parental Support For Reimagining Education

A new national survey commissioned by online education platform Outschool reveals a divided opinion among parents on eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, but a strong consensus that the current education system is in need of serious reform.

The poll of 1,065 parents, conducted by ResearchScape International, found that 48% of respondents disapprove of dismantling the Department of Education, while 36% support it to some degree. Views vary widely by gender and political affiliation, with Republican parents and younger generations more likely to support the idea. Among respondents, 23% of men and just 13% of women said they “strongly approve” of the departments elimination.

Despite these political and generational divides, an overwhelming 81% of parents agree that the traditional education model needs to be reimagined with a focus on personalized learning. Gen Z parents were the most supportive of this idea, at 83%.

“Education is changing, and families deserve better options,” said Outschool CEO Amir Nathoo. “What matters most is a childs engagement and love of learning. Studies have shown that intrinsic motivation, which drives genuine curiosity and creativity, significantly declines as children progress through the school system. This decline is tied to outdated assessment models that value rote memorization over meaningful engagement. Parents deserve the ability to design an education as unique as their child.”

Parents voiced a number of concerns with the current education system, including bullying, school violence, and low academic achievement. A large majority — 82% — said they would take advantage of school choice funding if it became available in their state. Nearly half also expressed support for programs like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), scholarships, and grants as ways to increase access to non-traditional education options.

The survey also explored parents views on education technology. While 63% agreed that ed tech has been beneficial, enthusiasm dropped when it came to artificial intelligence in the classroom. Thirty-nine percent said they were concerned about AIs growing influence, and 35% pointed to the potential for cheating and plagiarism. At the same time, about a third of respondents expressed optimism about the technologys potential.

Outschool, which offers live and self-paced online classes for children aged 3 to 18, positions itself as a solution for families seeking more tailored education. Its platform connects students with teachers in small group sessions on a wide range of subjects — from core academics to niche interests like “Minecraft” and cooking — allowing families to customize their childs learning experience.