Peace Garden News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, North Dakota secured the fifty-first position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 53.8%.

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

North Dakota scored a 50% 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 50%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, North Dakota 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.

"An innovation friendly environment in the state without the presence of any choice programs makes ND unique among its peers, but also a little tone deaf to the importance of parent power. Districts like Northern Cass are carving new and personalized learning pathways for students and ensuring that they have the tools they need to not just pass tests but master their education. But even great districts like that '22 Yass finalist have parents and families for whom one educational venue may not work. If parents decide to stay where they are, what's the trouble with giving them power just in case they need it? Sorry to see a cool state like this one with some great educational leadership in dead last," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Still no movement from Governor Doug Burgum, who has no plans to expand educational opportunities. The state is relatively dormant when it comes to educational change that matters for parent power and that’s why it is dead last in the rankings," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”