More than half of Americans believe that the education system throughout the country is fixed in favor of wealthy students, according to a new survey conducted by a global public opinion and data company, YouGov.
Among the individuals surveyed, 67 percent of respondents agreed that the U.S. education system is rigged, while 65 percent also think it’s common practice for wealthy parents to cheat the system to get their children ahead in schools.
The results were compiled during an online survey of 1,259 adults on March 13 and 14.
The survey also uncovered that 44 percent of respondents believe that most parents, if they had the financial means, would pay to get their kids ahead.
Furthermore, among respondents who are parents to children under the age of 18 below, 34 percent said they would pay a college prep organization to take a test on their child’s behalf, and 25 percent said they would pay off college officials to secure their child a place in an incoming class.
The survey results follow the recent college bribery scandal that involved more than 50 people including Hollywood actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Laughlin, who allegedly paid bribes to get their children accepted into top higher educational institutions.
Some of those accused have been charged with racketeering conspiracy for taking bribes and fraudulently granting students admission in top schools like Yale, Stanford and others.
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