Dear John,

In the U.S., most education decisions are made at the state and local levels, but national surveys don’t capture these crucial differences. With our new survey report, “The State of Educational Opportunity in America,” we set out to change that. 

By conducting a survey large enough to provide a representative sample from all 50 states and D.C., we’re offering a granular look at the challenges and opportunities parents experience in their own communities and putting that into a national and regional context.

Whether inside the classroom or out in the community, parents are navigating a growing maze of educational choices. Yet, despite meaningful progress, too many families still face daunting obstacles when finding the best educational opportunities for their children.

In the report, we explore a broader ecosystem of learning opportunities, from sports to afterschool programs to college pathways and more. Our goal is to shine a light on how parents perceive and navigate the current education landscape, elevate what is important to them and identify where they believe improvements are needed.

At its core, this report is not just about numbers or trends; it’s about elevating the voices of families, whose perspectives and experiences are crucial to shaping a more welcoming, effective and supportive educational system. We are grateful to the more than 20,000 parents who contributed to this study, and we hope their participation helps spark meaningful change across the nation.