In February 2025, we conducted a live-caller survey of 603 Florida voters to gauge their opinions on the state’s education system. The survey, conducted by Cherry Communications, reached voters across the political spectrum and aimed to understand perceptions around public education, school choice, early learning, and related policy matters.

Highlights

📊 Direction of K–12 Education in Florida

A majority of respondents believe Florida’s K–12 system is on the wrong track, and only roughly a quarter think it's headed in the right direction. Republicans were most favorable of the direction the system is taking.

📊 Strong Opposition to Relaxing Standards

Over 80% of respondents opposed reinstating social promotion and reducing graduation requirements. These numbers stayed remarkably consistent across party lines.

📊 Early Learning is a Priority

Nearly three out of four voters say high-quality early learning is “very important” to a child's long-term success, showing overwhelming support for early education investment.

📊 Use of Excess Space for Charter Schools

Overall, Floridians were fairly divided on public schools having to rent out extra space to charter schools. On average, both Latino and South Floridian respondents were more in favor of it than the rest of the state.

Full Survey Results

Question 1

First, how do you think Florida's K-12 Education system is doing - are things generally headed in the right direction or have things gotten off on the wrong track?

Question 2

What type of school do you think provides the best education to Florida's K-12 students?

Question 3

High-quality early learning programs can help children develop important skills for success in school and beyond. How important is it for Florida to fund these programs?

Question 4

Charter schools are publicly funded but operated independently. Do you agree or disagree that school districts should be required to let charter schools use the extra, unused space of traditional public school facilities?

Question 5

Do you agree or disagree that schools serving primarily low-income students should receive supplemental funds to address educational gaps?

Question 6

[If respondent answered ‘Disagree’ or Unsure/Refused’ to Question 5] Would you support the supplemental funds if the schools were deemed to be high-performing by the state?

Question 7

In 2002, Florida ended social promotion in the third grade if a child is not reading on grade level. By ending the practice of passing kids along who are not reading on grade-level by the end of third grade and instead providing them with additional instruction to bring the student up to grade-level prior to promoting them, Florida's students have risen to consistently being ranked in the top 10 states in the country for 4th grade reading performance. Now, lawmakers are considering allowing students who have not demonstrated an ability to read on grade-level at the end of their third-grade year to still be promoted. Knowing this, would you support or oppose the Legislature's efforts to promote students who are not reading at grade level?

Question 8

Since 2011, Florida has required high school students to pass an Algebra and English language assessment as part of the state's graduation requirements. Now, Florida lawmakers are considering eliminating these requirements, which would mean employers and higher education institutions would not be able to count on Florida high school graduates having demonstrated basic math and reading skills in order to graduate. Knowing this, would you support or oppose the Legislature's efforts to reduce high school graduation requirements for students?

Question 9

Florida Public University tuition has been held flat since 2014. Do you support or oppose Increasing out-of-state tuition to generate more revenue for our state's public universities?