Parents Raise the Alarm About Violence in Schools & Say Increased Bullying, and Mental Health Concerns are Major Issues
A new poll finds 59% of parents are very or highly concerned about teaching race and diversity.
Many Black parents are worried that schools are harsher on students of color than white students.
Boston, MA— A new poll released today by the National Parents Union found 84% of parents are concerned about how schools are addressing the threat of violence, and 59% say children experiencing increased bullying or violence in school is a significant issue. Further, 52% say student mental health after coping with the pandemic is a big issue.
The survey, conducted November 19-23, included 1,233 parents who are also registered, voters.
The poll also asked the parents who responded that they were concerned about the threat of violence, which worries them the most. The top three most pressing concerns are:
- 44%: schools do not have enough counselors, psychologists, or social workers to work with students
- 42%: schools not having resources to keep weapons out of schools
- 39%: schools not having school resource officers or police accessible on campus
“These findings underscore the importance of the very thing we have been imploring school leaders across the country to do: listen to the parents in your community. It also reinforces the need for those running for office to take the concerns of parents very seriously or risk losing elections,” said Keri Rodrigues, co-founder, and President of the National Parents Union. “Parents have very legitimate concerns about violence in schools, increased bullying, and a lack of mental health resources. It is incumbent on schools to do something about these issues, especially given the federal funds available. It’s not rocket science. Rather than repaint a football field, first, make sure that there are enough counselors to help students cope with mental health issues.”
Schools Teaching about Race and Diversity
- 59% of parents are extremely or very concerned about how schools are teaching about race and diversity; Among Black parents, 69% share this sentiment, which drops slightly to 67% among Hispanic parents.
- Of the overall number of parents who are at least somewhat concerned (79%):
- 48% say what concerns them the most is schools are not teaching accurate information about the issue of race;
- 42% are most concerned about schools pushing a progressive agenda onto students
- 56% of GOP parents who are concerned say this is their top concern
- 32% are most concerned that schools aren’t focused on the issue enough
- 46% of Black parents who are concerned say this is their top concern
DISCIPLINARY ISSUES
- 78% of parents are concerned about how schools are handling disciplinary issues
- Nearly half (46%) of Black parents who said they are concerned about how schools handle disciplinary issues are worried that schools are harsher on students of color than white students.
Trust in political parties.
- 38% of parents trust Democrats to do a better job of handling education; 31% trust Republicans; 14% trust both equally; 11% trust neither
- Among parents who identify as Independents, 28% trust Republicans, and 20% trust Democrats
NPU PARENT/REGISTERED VOTER SURVEY
1,233 parents of K-12 students
Field Dates: November 19-23, 2021
Click here for crosstabs
ABOUT NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
The National Parents Union is a network of parent organizations and grassroots activists committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in the United States. NPU unites these organizations behind a standard set of principles that put children and families at the center of the national education narrative. With delegates representing each of the 50 states, NPU disrupts the traditional role of parent voice in policy spaces and develops a new report inclusive of families from a wide variety of intersectional perspectives.
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