Fact Check: "Public schools educate approximately 90% of K-12 students in the United States."
What We Know
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in fall 2023, public elementary and secondary schools in the United States enrolled approximately 49.5 million students from prekindergarten through grade 12. This figure includes both traditional public schools and public charter schools. The total number of K-12 students in the U.S. is estimated to be around 55 million, which means that public schools educate about 90% of these students.
The NCES report indicates that the enrollment in public schools has been slightly declining since 2019, when there were about 50.8 million students enrolled. However, the proportion of students in public schools relative to the total K-12 population has remained stable, consistently hovering around the 90% mark over the years (NCES).
Analysis
The claim that public schools educate approximately 90% of K-12 students in the United States is supported by reliable data from the NCES, a reputable source for educational statistics. The NCES is a part of the U.S. Department of Education and is known for its comprehensive and methodologically sound data collection practices. The figures provided by the NCES are based on extensive surveys and projections that account for various factors affecting school enrollment, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (NCES).
While there are other educational options available, such as private schools and homeschooling, the data shows that these alternatives account for a smaller fraction of the total K-12 student population. For instance, the Census Bureau also confirms that public schools remain the predominant choice for families in the U.S., further validating the NCES findings.
Critically, the claim's accuracy is bolstered by the consistency of the data over time, as the NCES has tracked these statistics for many years. The slight fluctuations in total enrollment do not significantly alter the overall percentage of students attending public schools.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that public schools educate approximately 90% of K-12 students in the United States is accurate based on reliable data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The enrollment figures consistently indicate that public schools serve the vast majority of K-12 students, confirming the validity of the claim.
