Voter support for in-person schooling declines in new poll

Voters are less likely now to support in-person classroom schooling compared to two months ago, according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.

"Over the past two months, Americans have grown more concerned about reopening schools," Rasmussen said. "In May, 45% supported the idea while 33% were opposed. Now the numbers are even — 40% want regular classes to be held, while 39% prefer virtual learning. Those numbers are consistent with other data showing concern about the pandemic increasing and support for reopening decreasing."

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Just the News Daily Poll

With Scott Rasmussen

Rasmussen noted that lower-income Americans (earning less than $50,000), favor virtual learning by a 47%-to-35% margin. A plurality of middle- and-upper income Americans prefer re-opening.

Voters in rural areas are more likely to support reopening, while those in urban areas take the opposite view. Suburban voters are evenly divided.

Just the News Daily Poll respondents were asked "Should public schools in your area return to their regular school buildings in the fall? Or, should schools in your area remain shut down and all classes be taught in a virtual setting?" They responded as below:

• 40% Yes, schools should return to their buildings
• 39% No, teach classes in a virtual setting
• 21% Not Sure

The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted July 9-11, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample. 

To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:

To see the methodology and sample demographics for this polling question, click below: