Magnolia State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Mississippi secured the thirtieth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 65.5%.

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

Mississippi scored a 62% 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 68%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Mississippi earned a 68%.

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.

"The Magnolia State is a national model for going from one of the worst states in reading proficiency to among the best, but when it comes to parent power and the presence of education opportunity and innovation, there’s still so much to do to ensure every child has access to a 21st century education that they deserve and their parents demand. Keep blooming, Mississippi," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Tate Reeves has been an advocate for parent power. During his tenure in office, he signed into law a modest Education Savings Account (ESA) program for students with special needs along with a revised charter school bill that has led to the first charter high school set to open in 2025. With the Governor in full support, efforts to push for greater opportunities seem to be on the agenda in 2024," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”