Sunshine Sentinel

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Florida secured the first position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 93.3%.

The index, designed to assess the degree of parental power in each state, highlights key indicators such as Choice Programs, Charter Schools and Innovation. 

Florida scored a 95% in Choice Programs, which represents families' ability to access and choose programs that best fit their needs. 

The state's Charter Schools system, which is based on the availability of alternative educational options for students and families, scored a 92%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Florida earned a 92%.

While Florida claims the top spot with a 93% overall score, states like Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina follow closely behind in the top rankings, emphasizing a national trend towards prioritizing parental involvement in education.

Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota round out the bottom of the list along with six other states that received a grade of ‘F’.

The Parent Power Index serves as a valuable resource for families across the country, offering insights into state-level educational policies and opportunities. 

Through the index's interactive map, parents can explore the status of parental empowerment in their state and discover avenues to advocate for greater involvement and choice in education.

"When Florida first adopted serious accountability measures and said students in failing schools could go to the private schools of their choice, the pundits predicted public education would implode. Quite the opposite. The challenge was the jolt a failing system needed, and parents mobilized over the succeeding decade to embrace a wide array of diverse and innovative learning opportunities that transcend politics and give parents in every community more power than any other state to drive to ensure their kids' get the education they deserve," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Governor DeSantis’s leadership has resulted in major expansions of programs that accelerate and expand parent power in The Sunshine State. While he’s taken heat for other efforts, most parents are thrilled by the millions of new opportunities his efforts have resulted in and despite a presidential distraction, it doesn’t look like the Governor is ready to slow down when it comes to continued innovation in the area of education," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”