Enchantment State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, New Mexico secured the thirty-seventh position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 62.7%.

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

New Mexico 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 72%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, New Mexico earned an 72%.

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 State of Enchantment is anything but when it comes to allowing families to take maximum advantage of opportunities. With barely 21% of students proficient in reading harming future success for an increasingly diverse student population, and state mandates that prescribe inputs and focus less on outputs, parents need to rally for better options for their children," the Parent Power Index notes.

"The Governor has made no attempts to shift her education establishment attitude towards one of education freedom. Even members of her own party have implored her to allow families more power to choose the education that best fits their child, but any real leadership in the direction of parent power is yet to be seen," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”