Amid Pandemic, Support Soars for Online Learning: Results from the 2020 Education Next survey of public opinion

For 14 years, the Education Next annual survey has tracked American opinion on education policy. We have gauged peoples views through the throes of the Great Recession, dramatic changes in partisan control in both Washington, D.C., and state capitals, and attendant shifts in the direction of federal and state education policy. None of that compares to the disruption that unfolded this spring, as the Covid-19 pandemic closed schools nationwide and brought the American economy to its knees. This year's survey, administered in May 2020, provides an early look at how the experiences of the past few months may shape Americans' views on education policy going forward. The survey's nationally representative sample of 4,291 adults includes an oversampling of teachers and of those who identify themselves as Black and Hispanic. (All results are adjusted for non-response and oversampling; see methods sidebar for details.)