Poll shows concerns over COVID disruptions & a ‘tale of two states’

SMITHFIELD, RI – The Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership at Bryant University today released a public opinion survey of Rhode Island parents with children in public K-12 schools.

The survey includes questions dealing with pandemic-related learning losses, quality of schools, and education policy in Rhode Island. Key findings of the survey include the following:

• 69% of parents are very or somewhat concerned that their child has fallen behind academically as a result of disruptions caused by COVID-19.

• 67% of parents believe their child will fall behind if the state resumes virtual learning.

• While 77% of parents are very or somewhat satisfied with the steps their child’s school is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, 64% are still very or somewhat concerned with their child being exposed to COVID-19 at school.

• 78% of parents support children wearing masks at school, though a majority (52%) oppose requiring all children ages five and up to be vaccinated to attend public school, while just 39% support mandated vaccines.

• 85% of parents are very or somewhat satisfied with the quality of their child’s education and 77% of all parents believe local teachers are doing an excellent job overall.

• 42% of parents do not believe their child’s school is adequately staffed with teachers or substitute teachers at this time.

• Most parents (62%) do not believe that state standardized tests provide an accurate picture of their children.

• Parents are divided (42% - 44%) on if they believe their voice is being heard in determining educational policies in their community.

The survey also revealed different concerns among urban, urban ring, and suburban parents in Rhode Island.

• Parents from urban districts are more than twice as likely (33%) to report that limited computers are a great problem or somewhat a problem in local schools.

• Parents from both urban and urban ring districts are more likely to believe that facilities such as school buildings are a great problem or somewhat of a problem at 46% and 53%, respectively, versus just 28% of suburban parents.

• 28% of all parents are concerned about their children’s safety at school, including over 35% of urban parents, 32% of urban ring parents, and just 20% of suburban parents.

• Only 28% of urban parents believe local public schools prepare students for good paying jobs, compared to 50% of urban ring and 56% of suburban parents.

• 49% of urban parents and 57% of urban ring parents believe that the adequacy of state financial support is a great problem or somewhat a problem in their community, compared to just 37% of suburban parents.

• Suburban parents are the only group where a majority believe they are getting a good value in education for their taxes (68%).

“This poll provides elected leaders and educators with valuable data on how Rhode Island parents view the education their children are receiving,” said Institute Director Gary Sasse. “The poll reveals both a continued concern over the impact of COVID on education and a ‘tale of two states,’ where suburban parents often feel like they are getting a better deal than parents in the urban and urban ring regions.”

The telephone survey of 400 Rhode Island parents was conducted from January 9 to January 12, 2022 by Fleming & Associates. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 4.9% for the overall sample. 94% of calls were made to cell phones. The full survey report is attached.

The Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership is a nonpartisan institute that works to provide public officials with the tools, skills, and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

Contact: hassenfeld@bryant.edu