# US K-12 education satisfaction decline > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-k-12-education-satisfaction-decline > Updated: 2026-09-10T17:23:35.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Public satisfaction with K-12 education in the United States has reached a 27-year low, with a Gallup poll indicating that only 32% of Americans are satisfied with the quality of schooling. This represents an 11-percentage-point decline over a two-year period, marking a record high of 67% dissatisfaction. The decline is observed across various political affiliations. While Democrats experienced a significant drop in satisfaction, Republicans and independents have expressed concerns regarding the instruction of basic skills. Specific areas where schools received the lowest ratings include the teaching of critical thinking, problem-solving, and workforce preparation, though schools were noted for helping students adapt to new technologies. Factors contributing to this trend include political polarization and falling math and reading scores as noted by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Some experts suggest that the framing of schools as political battlegrounds and efforts to dismantle the Department of Education have further eroded public trust. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: U.S. education satisfaction hits record low in Gallup poll U.S. satisfaction with K-12 education has dropped to 32%, the lowest level since 1999, according to Gallup. Dissatisfaction is rising across political parties, particularly regarding critical thinking skills. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-education-satisfaction-hits-record-low-in-gallup-poll ### 2026-09-08: US K-12 education satisfaction hits 27-year low US satisfaction with K-12 education has hit a 27-year low of 32%, while dissatisfaction has reached a record 67%, according to a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-education-satisfaction-hits-27-year-low --- Cite as: US K-12 education satisfaction decline. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-k-12-education-satisfaction-decline