The 2018 EdNext poll finds that the public is overwhelmingly opposed to considering race in K–12 school assignment decisions as part of efforts to increase school diversity, though the difference between support and opposition has narrowed somewhat since the question was last asked in 2008. Among the general public, support has increased by an insignificant 2 percentage points, to 18% in 2018, but opposition has dropped by 6 percentage points, to 57%. Among public-school teachers, 27% support affirmative action practices, representing an 8-percentage-point increase since 2008. Among African Americans, the tick upward is a negligible 1%, but opposition has declined 12 percentage points to 46%. Among Hispanics, the share taking a favorable position has increased by 10 percentage points, though a majority of this group remains opposed (51% to 24%). Only 11% of Republicans and 25% of Democrats favor race-based student assignment to schools. To learn more about this finding and others from 2018, read the full poll essay here. Two interactive graphics are also available that explore the 2018 findings as well as trends in opinion over time.
— Education Next
