Beehive State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Utah secured the sixth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 82.2%.

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

Utah scored an 82% 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 82%.

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

"Sending ripples across the great salt lake, Utah's ongoing expansion of choice and charter programs, while giving schools freedom and flexibility to innovate, is making its mark for more parents. It's great when states follow the outliers and adopt best practice models like establishing university authorizers to start new charters and encouraging private schools and 21^st^ century technologies to settle in for the long run," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Governor Cox followed up on his promise to “unleash innovation, cut regulation and let entrepreneurs in the classroom do their thing” by signing into law the Utah Fits All Scholarship program, an Education Savings Account program providing $8,000 to families for the school of their choice. While eligibility is ‘universal,’ the program depends on appropriations. Here’s hoping that the Governor will set in motion a funding increase to ensure that it truly is available to all citizens of Utah. That said, the Governor deserves accolades for a promise kept," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”