Invest in Strong Schools and Career Pathways

Survey Reveals New Insights on DC Voter Priorities & Ranked Choice Voting Understanding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 9, 2026
CONTACT: Jessica Giles
(202) 599-0089 | Jessica@strongschoolsnow.org

Washington, D.C. – The Washington, D.C. office of the Center for Strong Public Schools (CSPS) released new polling today featuring findings on public attitudes toward major policy issues in the District including education and ranked-choice voting. 

The survey, commissioned through SurveyUSA, found that D.C. Democratic voters overwhelmingly (88%) believe every high school student should have access to a meaningful career-connected learning experience before graduation, while 71% say they are confident (22% very, 49% somewhat) DC’s public schools are preparing students for college, careers, and life after high school. 

These beliefs reflect real progress in how D.C. voters perceive the success of DC students. At the same time, the latest data makes clear that outcomes are still falling far short of what students need. Just 15.7% of D.C. students meet the SAT College Ready Benchmark, a College Board metric indicating a 75% likelihood of passing first-year, credit-bearing college courses. Of students in D.C.’s 2011–12 ninth-grade cohort, just 17.6% completed a college degree by 2022. Among those who enrolled in college, only 38.2% earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.

In response, Jessica Giles, Executive Director of CSPS, issued the following statement:

“This poll highlights both how much D.C. voters value strong outcomes for students and how far we still have to go to achieve them. While there has been real progress, the reality is that too many students are still not prepared for success after high school, and we lack a clear picture of long-term career outcomes.

To close that gap, D.C. leaders must ensure all public schools – across sectors – are held to high standards, funded equitably, and equipped to innovate in ways that meet every student’s needs. It’s time to close the gap.” 

The poll results also identified that the majority of Democrats overwhelmingly support: 

• Public charter schools receiving the same level of funding as DC Public Schools (63%);
• Schools proactively addressing the use of AI in classrooms (80%); and
• High school students receiving career-connected learning before graduation (88%).

In addition, 69% of those polled say they are familiar with ranked choice voting, with White Democrats significantly more likely to report familiarity than non-white voters. Familiarity also varies greatly between Wards and voter income levels. 

“It’s crucial that all residents are educated on ranked choice voting or we will see widening gaps in civic participation,” Giles added. “This year’s election cycle may be one of the most consequential in recent history and the data show there is significant work to do regarding public education on how ranked choice voting works.”

Read the full poll here.

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ABOUT:
The Center for Strong Public Schools is a 501(c)(3) organization with offices in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Our D.C. Office works to ensure that every student—especially Black, Brown, and low-income students—attends a high-quality public school regardless of their zip code. We elevate research for policymakers and convene leaders to drive improvement. Learn more at strongschoolsnow.org/dc.