Great Lakes Wire

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Michigan secured the twenty-second position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 71.4%.

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

Michigan 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 88%.

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

"Providing the freedom and flexibility that assures educators can deliver great education, the Great Lakes state remains among the strongest laws for charters and permits districts to be innovative, giving parents more power than many states. But the lack of publicly supported choices among private education providers lowers its PPI score," the Parent Power Index notes.

"In July of 2023, in a move strongly supported by Governor Whitmer, the Michigan Education Association regained collective bargaining rights removed more than a decade before delivering the union a huge win. The Governor continues to drive the state backward where Michigan once was a state to look to when it came to education innovation," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”