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View a polling memo and graphics from Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R)
HARRISBURG, PA (March 31, 2025) — Likely Pennsylvania voters oppose the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education by a 58-39 margin, according to a poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R) for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Voters also overwhelmingly oppose reductions in federal funding for critical education programs that Pennsylvania’s 1.7 million students rely on, including free and reduced-price lunches in schools, Title I programs for economically disadvantaged students in rural, urban, and suburban school districts, and special education services. Large majorities want federal funding for these programs to increase or stay the same.
“This poll confirms what we have been hearing from Pennsylvania educators, support staff, and the students and families they serve,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “Pennsylvanians want their elected leaders to invest in students from all backgrounds — in rural, urban, and suburban communities. They do not want to see the department that distributes and oversees billions in federal school funding be dismantled and tossed aside.”
Pennsylvania receives $1.6 billion in federal education funding through the U.S. Department of Education, according to a PSEA review of the FY 2022-23 federal budget. This includes $578 million for Title I programs and $428 million for special education services. In addition, Pennsylvania receives another $740 million annually for free and reduced lunches in schools.
“This crucial funding supports the education of hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania students,” Chapin said. “Shutting down the Department of Education isn’t about reforming how government works. It is about dismantling public education as we know it, putting teachers and support staff out of jobs, and giving up on a generation of students.”
Key Poll Findings
SP&R pollsters told Pennsylvania voters how much federal funding the state receives for key education programs each year and asked whether this funding should be increased, kept the same, or reduced. By wide margins, voters said this funding should remain the same or increase:
- 88%: $740 million for free and reduced lunches in schools;
- 86%: $578 million for Title I programs that help economically disadvantaged students in nearly all school districts; and
- 88%: $428 million for special education services for approximately 300,000 students across the state.
When it comes to the federal share of K-12 education funding, more than half of voters told SP&R that 15% or more should come from the federal government. In reality, only 5.2% of Pennsylvania K-12 school district budgets comes from federal sources.
By a 61:32 margin, voters also said they oppose giving taxpayer-funded tuition vouchers to parents to allow them to send their children to the public or religious school of their choice.
And, by a 59:28 margin, more voters believe the greater threat to public schools is the lack of funding and resources needed to teach and fully support students. Most reject the argument that “schools are allowing political agendas to be taught in the classroom, spreading ‘wokeness,’ and promoting anti-American ideas.”
Executive Order Puts Pa. Students at Risk
Chapin said that an executive order issued by President Trump on March 20 that begins to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education puts $1.6 billion in funding for Pennsylvania’s public school students at risk, especially those students who are the most vulnerable.
“Think of what this means for students from low-income families who count on Title I funding to provide academic supports in reading, language arts, and math,” Chapin said. “Think about students with disabilities who count on federal special education funding to get the accommodations, life skills, and specific services they need to thrive and succeed.
“Make no mistake, these actions come with high stakes for students, and the people of Pennsylvania get that. That is why they strongly support these crucial federal investments in our public schools.”
The SP&R poll was conducted between March 17 and 23, 2025, with 700 registered voters in Pennsylvania. The margin of error is +/-3.7% at the 95% confidence level.
Chapin is a Stroudsburg Area middle school teacher and president of PSEA. An affiliate of the National Education Association, PSEA represents about 177,000 active and retired educators and school employees, aspiring educators, higher education staff, and health care workers in Pennsylvania.
