Gem State Wire

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Idaho secured the twenty-fifth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 70.1%.

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

Idaho 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 an 85%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Idaho earned an 85%.

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.

"Even with strong scores in opportunity for charter schools and transformational education programs throughout the various education sectors, Idaho scores a low C- for parent power for failing to have a meaningful choice program that would enable parents to pay for non-public education options, from carving out their own students' education experiences to creating their own microschools or choosing private schools. Not a lot to ask from a state leading in other dimensions," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Governor Brad Little partnered with the legislature and drove major improvements to the charter school law, the development of hybrid learning models and a statewide open enrollment policy to the state," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”