Equality State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Wyoming secured the forty-seventh position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 58.6%.

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

Wyoming scored a 65% 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, Wyoming earned a 65%.

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.

"In a perfect example of two steps forward, one step back, the Equality State failed its namesake when first, an effort to spur chartering with a new authorizer that was supposed to spark growth but was immediately halted until 2026. Then, the passage of an act establishing a comprehensive education savings account was scaled back by a veto limiting access for families. For such a beautiful place, the beautiful children living in it deserve better," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Governor Gordon hasn’t exactly pushed the envelope on expansion of more options for Wyoming families until this year when legislation made it to his desk strengthening the charter school law and creating the Wyoming Education Savings Accounts Act. He promptly vetoed key components in both the charter and choice law that would have allowed more charter freedom and flexibility and an increased eligibility for the choice program," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”