As a new school year approaches, parents worry about violence, what kids will be learning

With another academic year quickly approaching, many California parents are concerned about safely sending their children back to their local public school in-person and considering other options.

That’s according to a survey by Stride, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, high-quality, and tech-enabled education solutions, which found that over half (52 percent) of parents or guardians with children enrolled in public school would prefer enrolling them in private school.

Furthermore, with COVID-19 still presenting a health concern to many Americans, 54% of parents say that they would likely enroll their child in an exclusively virtual school program in the fall if that were an option. Online learning has been required in some form for 85% of families over the past two years, with many expressing satisfaction with the experience.

“Online learning provides a safe, cost-effective alternative to traditional public schooling,” said Kevin P. Chavous, President of Stride, Inc. “Every child has unique strengths and needs, and online learning gives families the accessibility and students the flexibility to learn at their own pace and in the manner best suited to them.”

Fueling the search for alternative learning environments are concerns about school safety and school transparency. With school leaders reporting nearly a 50% increase in violent threats from students and more than a 70 percent increase in generally disruptive student behavior between 2019 and 2021, 6 in 10 parents expressed explicit concerns about the threat of gun violence at their children’s school.

In addition, parents feel their children’s public school does not provide enough transparency and insight into student curricula and activities, with an overwhelming majority (82%) of parents saying they wish they knew more about what was happening at their child’s school.

“Parents have a right and a responsibility to understand what their children are getting from their time in school,” said Chavous. “Being a partner in their education can instill confidence, ensure accountability, and empower their child’s development.”

More than two million students have chosen public school at home with K12, a Stride company. From overall school satisfaction to their thoughts about teachers and curriculum, more than 80% of parents are experiencing positive outcomes with K12-powered schools and curriculum. Students at K12-powered schools can pair a solid academic foundation with engaging enrichment activities, access to career and college prep resources, and hands-on learning experiences.

Interviews for this research were conducted online between July 7–13, from a sample of 512 parents/guardians of children in grades K–12 by Stride, Inc. Complete survey results are available at K12.com.

About Stride, Inc.

At Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), we are reimagining learning—where learning is lifelong, deeply personal, and prepares learners for tomorrow. The company has transformed millions of people’s teaching and learning experiences by providing innovative, high-quality, tech-enabled education solutions, curriculum, and programs directly to students, schools, the military, and enterprises in primary, secondary, and postsecondary settings. Stride is a premier provider of K­12 education for students, schools, and districts, including career learning services through middle and high school curriculum. For adult learners, Stride delivers professional skills training in healthcare and technology, as well as staffing and talent development for Fortune 500 companies. Stride has delivered millions of courses over the past decade and serves learners in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The company is a proud sponsor of the Future of School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap between the pace of technology and the pace of change in education. More information can be found at stridelearning.com, K12.com, galvanize.com, techelevator.com, and medcerts.com.

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