Yellowhammer Times

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Alabama secured the fourteenth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 75%.

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

Alabama scored a 78% 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 72%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Alabama earned a 75%.

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.

"Clocking it at a PPI rank of 14 and solid C, Alabama's once-lonely pine-like parent power state has grown by leaps and bound by making the determined move to give parents more power over their education. On top of that, the Cotton state had the best rebound from Covid's impact on reading proficiency of any other state. Roll Tide!," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Entering her seventh year of office, Kay Ivey in early 2024 vowed to increase the amount and number of scholarships available to students with an expansive new Education Savings Account program, and by March she made good on her word. Both she and Lt. Gov Will Ainsworth have been consistently strong in their support of more opportunities for families," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”