Market Research

Back to school study: Parents weigh in on the right balance between quality education and safety

Parents are sending their kids back to school for the second time during a global pandemic, but back to school does not mean back to normal. As Delta variant cases surge, especially among children, a majority of parents (56%) say they are more worried this school year than they were last year about the health and safety of their kids. 

That’s according to Qualtrics’ 2021 Back to School study, which examines parental opinions at a time of great uncertainty for government and school district leaders making critical policy decisions about children’s safety. 

In an attempt to create a quality educational experience while avoiding viral spread, some schools are imposing mask requirements. Others are considering going back to remote learning. Qualtrics research shows that 65% of parents would be supportive of a school closure if Delta variant cases continue to spike. 

Amidst great anxiety surrounding new variants, educators can use feedback to understand the needs of families, mitigate safety risks, and improve the learning experience.

To better understand how parents feel about their children’s education, Qualtrics asked more than 1,000 U.S. parents of kids 5-18 their thoughts on school closures, remote learning, and how they grade their school districts’ response to the pandemic. Here’s what they had to say: 

How parents feel about the possibility of more school closures 

As COVID cases rise, and vaccines are not yet approved for young children, parents and educators across the country are reconsidering plans for in-person school this fall. 

• 65% of parents would be supportive of a school closure if Delta variant cases continue to spike
  • When split along political lines, Democrats (83%) are much more likely than Republicans (49%) to be supportive of a school closure 
  • By gender, dads (70%) are more likely than moms (60%) to say they would support a school closure 

• 56% of parents whose kids did fully in-person schooling last school year say they would be supportive of a school closure if Delta variant cases continue to spike supportive, compared to 79% of those whose kids attended remotely
• Most parents approve of the way school districts have handled the global pandemic, with 67% grading their school district as above average (A or B on the grading scale)

Parents agree that in-person education is ideal for learning 

Getting kids back to in-person school is still a priority for parents. More than going to the movies, eating in restaurants, traveling, or celebrating holidays, a third of parents say they are most looking forward to their kids returning to in-person school once the family is fully vaccinated. 

• 71% of parents say their kids primarily attended school either remotely (30%) or with a hybrid model (41%) last school year
• 65% of parents agree in-person classes taught by a teacher is the best learning environment for their K-12 kids
• 69% of parents say that for college students, in-person classes are a learning advantage 

The one downside may be having to wear regular clothes: 

• The majority of parents (59%) say their kids wore pajamas or some combination of pajamas on a regular basis to attend hybrid or at-home school

It’s time for kids to catch up on schoolwork 

The pandemic has taken a toll on student learning as millions of kids have fallen behind in their education. Parents and teachers are hoping that this year, they can start catching up. But opinions are split on whose responsibility it is to make that happen.

• 53% of parents say their kids fell behind on schoolwork during the pandemic 
  • Private school parents were more likely than public school parents to say this (68% compared to 53%) 
  • Parents say hybrid or remote learning is the No. 1 cause for the gap in their children’s education, over any other reason including being inside all day, too many distractions, too much screen time, lack of time dedicated by parents, or mental health struggles 

• Most parents (63%) don’t feel it’s their primary responsibility to get their kids caught up on schoolwork 
  • 31% say teachers were responsible and 32% say it is the school district’s job
  • 29% answered parents, and only 2% answered private tutors, with 6% answering ‘other’