Florida strengthens its position as a national leader by ranking first on the EdChoice Friedman Index for 2025

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida has officially secured the top spot on the 2025 EdChoice Friedman Index, a recognition that highlights the state’s strong commitment to educational freedom and its robust school choice programs. Announced by the Florida Department of Education on March 14, 2025, the ranking reflects Florida’s continued leadership in providing families with a wide range of options to customize their children’s education.

With a score of 77, Florida outpaced every other state in the country on the Friedman Index, which evaluates school choice policies across the nation. The score is based on several key factors, including the availability of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), the flexibility of how funds can be used, and how funding for school choice compares to traditional public school funding. The next closest states, Arkansas and Alabama, trailed with scores of 60 and 59, respectively — placing Florida firmly ahead of the competition.

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“Today, Florida posted yet another #1 ranking,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “EdChoice has named Florida #1 in education freedom for having the most robust school choice options in the nation. Education is best with competition and Freedom!”

Florida’s school choice programs have grown rapidly in recent years, offering families more opportunities than ever to decide what learning environment works best for their children. These include charter schools, private school scholarships, virtual schooling, and the expansion of ESAs, which can be used for tutoring, therapies, textbooks, and other educational services.

“I am proud of the work we have done to expand school choice options for families,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Florida has led the nation in education because of our record investments in school choice. I thank EdChoice for the recognition of our hard work to support every Florida student in finding the right learning environment for their individual needs.”

The EdChoice Friedman Index is a national measure of how states support school choice. It was developed to reflect the effectiveness, reach, and fairness of policies that allow public education funds to follow students to the school or services that best meet their needs. Florida’s lead in this year’s report underscores its commitment to prioritizing student outcomes and flexibility for families.

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With more families across the country showing interest in alternatives to traditional public schools, Florida’s model may serve as a blueprint for others looking to expand educational options. As state officials continue to advocate for personalized education, this national recognition is likely to further strengthen Florida’s influence in shaping the future of school choice in America.

For those interested, the full index and rankings can be found at: www.edchoice.org/engage/the-2025-edchoice-friedman-index.