A new survey study from the Applied Social Research Lab at East Tennessee State University indicates that 56 percent of Tennesseans believe the state is “headed in the wrong direction,” with most citing economic challenges as their main concerns. However, the survey noted, Tennesseans are also divided about Tennessee public schools’ recent efforts to ban inappropriate books to comply with the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022.¶
According to the poll, which surveyed 701 Tennesseans from July 10-17, Republicans, Baby Boomers, white men, and East Tennesseans are more likely to say that Tennessee is going in the right direction, while Independents, Democrats, younger generations, women, Middle and West Tennesseans, and persons of color are less likely to share that view. The survey indicates that 44 percent of Tennesseans believe issues relating to the economy, jobs, and workforce development are the biggest problems facing the state today. Among Independents and Republicans, that number was 52 percent and 48 percent respectively, while 27 percent of Democrats shared that view.¶
In terms of issues relating to education, only 4 percent of Tennesseans (3 percent of Republicans, 4 percent of Independents, and 6 percent of Democrats) believe issues in the state’s education system present the biggest challenges for state policymakers, despite ongoing debate within the state legislature about charter schools and vouchers between Republicans who support “school choice” and many Democrats who believe more funding should be dedicated to traditional public schools.¶
The ETSU poll also asked respondents questions about school restrictions on certain books, which continues to be a major source of controversy in districts like Wilson County and Rutherford County Schools due to confusion about how schools should comply with and interpret state laws such as the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022 and its amendments. So far, over 400 books have been banned due to current interpretations of state guidelines in Wilson County, while dozens of others have been banned in Rutherford and districts elsewhere across Tennessee.¶
According to the ETSU poll data, the most significant demographic differences between those who support or oppose the 2022 Act is noticeable in party affiliation, with more Republicans in support (87 percent) compared to Independents (64 percent) and Democrats (38 percent). More Democrats oppose the law (61 percent) compared to other political affiliations. More male respondents support the Act (73 percent) compared to female respondents (61 percent). Respondents in the Baby Boomer generation were more likely to oppose the 2022 law (40 percent) than Generation X (30 percent), millennials (28 percent), and Generation Z (26 percent). Most Tennesseans (nearly 70 percent), however, support the law and its amendments.¶
The recent ETSU poll results are part of a series of releases from The Tennessee Poll, which seeks to gauge Tennesseans’ perceptions of issues that impact their health, education, and quality of life through questions about the state of the nation and Tennessee, women’s reproductive health, legislation addressing access to guns, restriction and removal of classroom and library materials, election integrity, food insecurity, and the role of colleges and universities in preparing today’s youth. ¶
The Tennessee Poll will release data gauging Tennesseans’ attitudes on the role of higher education by Nov. 8. For more information on the Tennessee Poll, visit www.etsu.edu.¶
