FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2023

CONTACT: Arianna Morgan | amorgan@skdknick.com 

New York, NY — Amid the country's debate on whether students should learn about inequality and systemic racism in public schools, a recent national poll of 1,000 U.S. registered voters conducted by brilliant corners Research & Strategies on behalf of the Black Education Research Center (BERC) at Teachers College, the Graduate School of Education, Health and Psychology at Columbia University, reveals that an overwhelming majority (85%) agree that students should learn about the history of slavery and racism in this country and how it continues to affect us today. The poll findings indicate that the 'anti-woke' education agenda lacks broad popularity among most Americans.

The polling results also reveal that Americans place their trust in teachers and prefer them to take the lead in shaping classroom curricula. The poll found a majority (51%) agree that teachers, as professionals, should have the authority to determine what information is taught to children and that individual parents should not have the power to dictate a school's curriculum. This percentage increases to 58% after voters are exposed to messaging that supports this approach.

"The poll results affirm what we have long believed at the Black Education Research Center: that Americans trust our educators and recognize their pivotal role in shaping the minds of the next generation,” said Sonya Douglass, Ed.D, Founding Director of Black Education Research Center and Professor of Education Leadership, and Co-Director of Urban Education Leaders Program (UELP). “The overwhelming support for empowering teachers and teaching the unfiltered view of our history proves what we knew all along: that a small, vocal minority is attempting to hold our education system hostage. It's clear that Americans value diversity and critical thinking, and they recognize the role public education plays in fostering these principles. These findings should serve as a call to action for a more comprehensive and inclusive educational environment that better prepares our students for a diverse and complex world."

Additional highlights from the poll include:

• Truth In History: An overwhelming 85% of voters agree that students should learn about the history of slavery and racism in the United States and how it continues to affect society today. Additionally, over three-quarters (78%) agree that teaching critical thinking skills requires that teachers challenge students with alternative points of view, even those that are unpopular and might make some uncomfortable.
• Opposition to Anti-Woke Education Agenda:  A majority, 56% of voters, say it is very important for schools to help children understand the value of diversity. Furthermore, 58% of voters agree that Critical Race Theory bans are simply playing political games with education, and a large plurality (43%) strongly agree.
• Addressing Gaps in Education: Respondents, particularly Black voters, believe the country is not spending enough on education, with 79% of Black voters saying we aren’t spending enough on education. Schools are not seen to be meeting the most important expectations for students. Some of the largest gaps are seen around understanding history, basic life skills,  competing for jobs, developing critical thinking skills, and civic engagement.
• Strategies for Improvement: Participants back initiatives to enhance public education, including increasing teacher salaries, elevating teacher standards, and incorporating ethnic studies units into the curriculum. Close to three quarters (78%) support adding a Black studies unit.

"Today's polling results highlight the strong desire among Americans for a classroom environment free from political influence and a resounding endorsement of our educators,” said Cornell Belcher,  President of brilliant corners Research & Strategies. “The data underscores the urgent need for inclusive, truth-centered education that addresses the complexities of our history. These findings serve as a powerful call to action for all stakeholders in education to prioritize diversity, truth, and excellence over politics in our schools. Americans are saying: let teachers teach and stop playing politics in the classroom."

The poll was conducted by phone, using professional interviewers starting on August 7th and ending on August 15th, 2023. The poll’s sample was drawn randomly from the voter file, and the data was weighted slightly to adhere to population demographics of voters in the voter file. The margin of error overall is +/- 3.1 percent, with a 95 percent confidence interval. Notably, the margin of error for sub-groups will be higher depending on the size of the sub-group sample and the size of the actual response to any given question. The poll was conducted with funding from the New York City Council to support BERC’s research and evaluation scope of work as part of the Education Equity Action Plan (EEAP) initiative. 

BERC has previously released polling data on inclusive curriculum. In 2022, BERC released a report titled, The Black Studies Curriculum: An Educational Necessity for New York City Public Schools, which also found strong support for inclusive curriculum in New York City Schools. Today's poll further affirms and builds on the takeaways from last year's poll. Reinforcing the urgency of implementing inclusive educational practices for the betterment of all students.

For more information on BERC, please visit: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/black-education-research-center/

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About Teachers College, Columbia University
Founded in 1887, Teachers College, Columbia University, the first and largest graduate school of education in the United States, is perennially ranked among the nation’s best. Teachers College’s mission is to create a smarter, healthier, and more equitable and peaceful world. Teachers College engages in research and prepares professionals in its three main areas of expertise—education, health and psychology—to work with public and private entities in local, national and global communities and inform public policy. Students choose from nearly 150 academic programs to earn graduate degrees, which are conferred by Columbia University. While it is closely affiliated with Columbia University and collaborates with it on many programs, the College is an independent, autonomous institution with a separate, independent governing board, president, and financial endowment.

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About the Black Education Research Center (BERC)

The Black Education Research Center (BERC) at Teachers College, Columbia University, conducts and analyzes research focused on improving the educational experiences and outcomes of students of African descent in the U.S. and throughout the world. We examine education, schools, and society from a Black perspective. 

About brilliant corners 

brilliant corners is a nationally and internationally recognized polling firm that was instrumental in twice electing Barack Obama to the White House.  Our work in understanding the new electorate leading up to the historic 2008 election enabled the campaign to activate an entirely new set of voters, and in 2012 we continued to defy conventional wisdom by showing a path to reengagement particularly for minority and youth voters nationwide.