With more than 50 million students out of school because of the coronavirus pandemic, a new poll finds that 67% of parents support continued closures until officials are certain that reopening will not pose a health risk. National Parents Union commissioned the poll, and Echelon Insights conducted the online survey of 500 parents between May 4 and May 5. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.
Just 22% of parents surveyed agreed that “schools should reopen as soon as possible so students don’t fall too far behind and can receive the educational support they need.” When parents were asked specifically about economically disadvantaged students who “may be more at risk of falling behind academically and need additional support,” only 30% favored the idea of sending those students back before other students.