Hoosier State Today

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Indiana secured the third position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 86.7%.

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

Indiana scored an 88% 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 an 85%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Indiana earned an 88%.

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.

"Indiana embodies the 'slow but steady wins the race" adage. Over the past two decades, a variety of governors, lawmakers and citizens have coalesced to enact serious education programs that give parents power and teachers freedom and flexibility to design education to meet student needs. Robust career and technical education, dual enrollment and technology-enhanced programs round out the state to be the third best for parent power in the nation," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Strong laws and legislation matters and so does strong leadership and the Governor once again showed why Indiana continues to be at the top of the list of states that puts students and parents first. Pushing for improvements that allow for already existing providers to grow more steadily and expand options is the difference between elected officials building on a strong foundation and those that choose to do otherwise," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”