The final polling data taken by the James Madison Institute (JMI) sheds some light on how Florida voters view the current education system in the state
The results indicate strong support for both innovative and traditional educational options for students, indicating a desire for adaptable systems that meet the state’s growing and diverse needs. In a world where cost isn’t a factor, voters lean toward private options, suggesting “choice” is as much aspirational as ideological.
Voters favor “unbundling” public education options: 62% support offering individual courses for a fee, 25% oppose, and 13% unsure.
There’s support for putting unused school space to work: 55% favor renting to private educators, 32% oppose, and 13% unsure. Utilizing idle resources appeals to voters.
If cost weren’t a barrier, private school is the top choice: 43% prefer private schools, 26% public, 19% homeschooling, 11% charter, and 2% other. Voters desire education choices beyond their current options.
Voters want fewer barriers to launching new schools: 68% support lifting barriers, 18% oppose, and 14% unsure.
AI in classrooms is viewed more positively than negatively: 54% consider its use positive, 40% negative, and 6% unsure. Younger Floridians (18-44) are significantly more positive about AI in education (60-62%) compared to the 65+ cohort, which is essentially split at 49% positive.
Teaching students how to use AI safely has majority support: 62% support instruction on safe use, 32% oppose, and 7% unsure. Voters are more open to AI than the public debate might imply, especially when framed around teaching students to use it safely.
Cursive is overwhelmingly popular: 87% endorse teaching cursive writing, 8% oppose, and 5% unsure. On classroom culture, voters are signaling a ‘back to basics’ preference—high standards and traditional skills still resonate.
Demographics.
Florida’s population remains highly migratory: 39% of registered voters are first-generation, 18% second, 16% third, 6% fourth, 4% fifth, and 17% unsure, illustrating Florida’s migratory character.
Religious attendance varies widely: 27% attend weekly, 11% a few times monthly, 15% yearly, and 46% rarely or never (23% each), with 1% unsure.
