School choice states top latest ‘Parent Power!’ rankings

States with school choice lead an annual measure of the freedom parents have to find the right school for their children.

The Parent Power! Index, published annually by the Center for Education Reform, assesses whether states have school choice programs and support charter schools – which accounts for 85% of the ranking. The remainder evaluates each state’s openness to innovations such as hybrid and microschools, and the flexibility districts have to make changes.

Florida and Arizona both scored an “A,” the highest ranking, followed by 11 states that received a “B.” At the bottom, 10 states scored an “F” for lacking school choice, having few or no charter schools and showing little support for innovation.

“Parents understand there is no single school solution that meets the needs of all learners,” said Jeanne Allen, the center’s founder and CEO, in a release about the index. “Smart state leaders throughout the country are listening and working to enact laws that allow for a proliferation of diverse educational options. 

“When strong education freedom laws reflect parents’ demands for flexibility, innovative dynamic new school models emerge – and families, students and communities thrive.” 

Florida is a prime example. 

The Sunshine State has 500,000 students enrolled in its school choice programs, and half of its K-12 students are educated outside traditional public school classrooms – including through various specialized public school programs, according to a recent report. The state also has a strong economy and growing population. 

All of the states that earned a B or higher are solidly Republican except for Arizona, North Carolina and Wisconsin, which have Republican Legislatures and Democrat governors. Each offers a wide range of school choice options. 

Among the 10 states that received the lowest rankings, seven are solidly Democrat, while three – Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota – are red states located in the Plains. 

Nebraska voters overturned a recently passed school choice program in a referendum last year. Kansas, which has a Democrat governor, recently failed to advance legislation to expand its limited school choice programs. South Dakota, a solidly Republican but primarily rural state, did not pass a school choice measure this year. 

Six states that received a “C” ranking passed or expanded their school choice programs this year, meaning their grades will likely improve. Tennessee, South Carolina, Wyoming and Idaho established new programs, while New Hampshire and Missouri expanded access or funding to existing ones. 

The tide appears to have turned for school choice, and the changes look permanent, according to the center. 

“A growing wave of parent-driven education reform is reshaping the American education landscape,” the center said in its release. “Greater access to school options across the country, including charter and independent schools; emerging voucher-assisted microschool models; and online programs, is the product of demand that is shaping into a movement – not just a moment – of lasting educational change.”