Poll: Parents report college plans largely unchanged, but data reveal deep disparities in remote learning
Most parents say their child’s college plans have not changed, but access to technology, language barriers, and economic status remain obstacles to pursuing a post-secondary degree.
In light of the coronavirus crisis, most parents of Massachusetts 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students report that their child’s college plans have not changed. But 17% say they have changed, and another 24% say their child is likely to delay entrance to college due to the coronavirus crisis.
Technology access and language proficiency are crucial to the decision to change post-graduation plans or delay entrance. For example, 43% of parents who do not have adequate internet at home said their child was more likely to delay college. Likewise, for parents who reported they did not have enough devices at home, 40% expect their child will likely delay entrance. This compares with 22% and 21% of parents with enough internet and devices at home, respectively. Among parents who speak Spanish at home, 36% said their child is more likely to delay college entrance, compared to only 23% of those who speak English at home.
These are some of the key findings from a new statewide poll of 10-12th grade parents by The MassINC Polling Group, conducted June 4-19. The poll was sponsored by The Boston Foundation and The Barr Foundation, and was developed with input from The Education Trust.
The findings were presented at a Zoom webinar July 15. MassINC Research Director Ben Forman also presented research on educational disparities by race and income.
“This survey tells the story of two vastly different experiences for families during the coronavirus pandemic in Massachusetts,” said Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group. “For mostly white and higher-income families, plans for their child’s future remain largely intact. But for parents of color, and low-income families, the number of obstacles between their child and higher education have increased.”
Elsewhere in the survey, health and safety issues have joined affordability as a top concern for parents about college. Nearly half (44%) of parents said that they feel a “great deal” of concern about health and safety on campus, matching the 44% who said they are concerned “a great deal” about affordability. Meanwhile, 31% percent said reduced preparation time before college for their child was greatly concerning to them.
The data also show that these issues are particularly top of mind for parents of color. Among non-white parents, 41% are greatly concerned by reduced preparation time, compared with only 28% of white parents. Parents of color were also more likely to be concerned about their child’s health and safety on campus (52% vs 41%).
About the poll
These results are based on a survey of 1,502 parents of school-age children in Massachusetts. Parents of 10th-12th graders (n=367) were asked additional questions about their child’s potential college plans. Live telephone interviews and online interviewing were conducted in English and Spanish June 4-19, 2020. Telephone respondents were reached by both landline and cell phone. Oversamples of Black, Latino, and Asian American respondents were obtained to bring the total interview count up to at least 250 for each group. Results within race and ethnicity were weighted to age, gender, and education level for each group. Groups were then combined and weighted to the population parameters by race for the state as a whole. The poll was sponsored by The Boston Foundation and The Barr Foundation and The Smith Family Foundation.
About The MassINC Polling Group
The MassINC Polling Group is a nonpartisan public opinion research firm serving public, private, and social-sector clients. MPG elevates the public's voice with cutting edge methods and rigorous analysis. Based in Boston, MPG serves a nationwide client base.