Cornhusker State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Nebraska secured the thirty-second position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 64.5%.

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

Nebraska scored a 75% 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, Nebraska earned a 75%.

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 unicameral legislature has failed repeatedly to enact measures giving parents the power to make fundamental decisions for their students' education. But a few tenacious state leaders fought hard and showed it could be done. While still behind most other states, it appears that better education for more students among the sweeping plains is just beginning," the Parent Power Index notes.

"In 2023, Governor Pillen signed the Opportunity Scholarship Act and was promptly met with a ballot initiative to strike it down by opponents. The Governor in a bold move and with the help of longtime education freedom champions in the legislature amended the program from a tax credit focused initiative to direct scholarships for students in the last two days of the legislative session in 2024. Bold moves from a Governor committed to addressing the lack of opportunity for low-income families in the Cornhusker state," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”