Constitution State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Connecticut secured the forty-third position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 59.9%.

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

Connecticut 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 62%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Connecticut earned an 82%.

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.

"With a state legislative body and governor that will not fund newly approved charters, no appetite for other expansive opportunities for students and little openness to innovation, this notable state of the thirteen original colonies remains stuck in history," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Ned Lamont hasn’t been a friend to education reform and still isn’t. New charter schools that have been approved as well as existing charters seeking to grow are stymied by his ignoring their calls for the state to actually fund parent choices. The unions appear to be more important to this Yankee than students," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”