Sunflower State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Kansas secured the forty-ninth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 54.8%.

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

Kansas 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, Kansas 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.

"The Sunflower state's sad and droopy parent power environment discourages innovation and new opportunities with its weak charter law and tiny tax credit scholarship program. Like the state flower, innovation and opportunity need oxygen to grow," the Parent Power Index notes.

"The Governor has been steadfast in her rebuff of the Republican controlled legislature’s efforts to pass meaningful bills to bring more education freedom to Kansas. With her statements of “public dollars should go to public schools” it is clear Governor Kelly is holding fast to her anti parent power stance," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”