WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report from the Center for Education Reform (CER) highlights the rapid expansion of parental choice and flexibility in education across the United States. The 2024 Parent Power! The index indicates that Ohio is part of this growing movement, with several recent policies aimed at giving parents more control over their children’s educational paths.
The report notes that Ohio, along with states like Iowa, West Virginia, and Arkansas, has made significant strides in embracing educational freedom for families.
Ohio’s overall ranking has improved, demonstrating the state’s commitment to providing parents with diverse options beyond the traditional public school system.
“Not since the beginning of the education reform movement, when states created 36 new laws providing parents power over their children’s education between 1991 and 1999, have we seen such a rapid expansion in an accelerated period of time for education innovation and opportunity,” said Jeanne Allen, CER founder, and CEO.
The Parent Power! The index measures various factors, including the availability of school choice programs, funding mechanisms that prioritize student needs, and overall transparency in education.
“Whenever parents are engaged, change occurs. Time and time again, we’ve seen that information in the hands of parents is power. When parents are able to make informed decisions about their children’s education, and states and communities are permitted to offer a myriad of pathways to enable those decisions, education works better for all students,” Allen said.
Florida (#1), Arizona (#2), and Indiana (#3) top the parent power charts. However, the data shows that most states still do not create the optimal conditions necessary to ensure every child has access to the educational environment that best meets their needs. Even some states that offer parents several options are still very limiting.