In an unexpected result, a poll commissioned by the left-wing American Federation of Teachers (AFT) union found that voters approved of education policy positions championed by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and other party figures.
NBC News reported that the poll was a “major set of red flags” for Democrats and teachers’ unions because the respondents agreed with much of the anti-Critical Race Theory, anti-indoctrination, and pro-parental rights policies that Republicans are advocating in favor of in states such as Florida and Virginia.
A majority of voters noted their dissatisfaction with “the amount of say that parents have in what their children are taught,” “the way students are taught about racial issues and the role of race in America,’ and “the way students are taught about issues related to sexual preferences and gender identity.” One of the most glaring disparities was that 60% of voters expressed “total dissatisfaction” compared to 27% who were satisfied about how students are taught about racial relations and slavery’s role in America.
When asked whether they would vote for Republican candidates and potential education policy issues, the voters’ feedback sent shockwaves through the political world. A plurality, but not an outright majority due to the nature of response options, indicated that they would vote for a Republican candidates who:
- “Believes public schools should focus less on teaching students about race and racism, and more on core academic subjects”
- “Believes parents should have more say over what their children learn in school”
- “Believes parents should have the option to decide whether their child receives instruction on gender and transgender issues”
- “Favors legislation to prevent transgender students who were born as males from competing in girls’ athletics”
- “Supports legislation that prohibits teaching in kindergarten through third grade about sexual orientation or gender identity”
- “Says that schools should stop teaching young children that people can have more than one gender or no gender”
- “Says that white students should not be shamed over issues of race and racism”
- “Believes schools should not teach students that they have special advantages due to their race or ethnic background”
- “Says schools must stop ‘grooming’ students by encouraging them to question their gender identity or sexual preference”
- “Believes schools should be required to notify parents if their child attempts to join a club involving sexuality, gender, or gender identity”
- “Says that schools should not teach students that all people are racially biased”
- “Says that schools should not teach students that America is a racist country”
- “Supports legislation that would ban the teaching of critical race theory or “CRT” in public schools”
- “Favors legislation preventing schools from teaching students that all people are racially biased”
- “Believes public schools should focus less on teaching students about race and racism”
- “Favors legislation to prevent schools from teaching students that they have special advantages due to their race or ethnic background”
In short, parents and voters are not liking what their children are being taught or indoctrinated in in public schools. They want the power returned back to the parents by taking it from schools and activist teachers. Parents agree with Republicans that schools must remove and eliminate the pervasive left-wing ideologies on racism, gender identity, and American history from classrooms and curriculum.
DeSantis, Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and other Republican politicians successfully pitched their education reform message to parents, but left-wing teachers’ unions choose to ignore parents in favor of their own left-wing ideology or dogma.
The poll results begged the question, what was AFT President Randi Weingarten’s response?
Weingarten told NBC News that she expected DeSantis’s style will turn off voters. She said, “Ron DeSantis would rather stoke grievances than solve problems. He’s about creating division and distrust, not finding solutions to what kids and communities need.” Weingarten added, “The polls show it’s a close race in Florida. And a positive agenda focused on investing in schools—putting values into action—is the only response to the hurt and hate pedaled by the likes of the Florida governor.”
