Florida celebrates fourth consecutive year ranked number one by Center for Education Reform on Parent Power Index
Florida – Florida has once again taken the top spot in the Center for Education Reform’s 2025 Parent Power! Index, making this the fourth consecutive year the Sunshine State has held the number one ranking. Released on June 11, the Index evaluates states across the country on how much educational control and flexibility they provide to families, with Florida continuing to lead the way in school choice and learning options.
The Parent Power! Index is a national benchmark that looks at how states support parent-driven education through policies that prioritize school choice, charter schools, flexible learning environments, and access to innovative programs. Florida’s continued dominance in this ranking reflects a sustained focus on giving parents more say in how and where their children are educated.
“Florida is—yet again—ranked #1 on the Parent Power Index by the Center for Education Reform,” said Governor Ron DeSantis, reaffirming the administration’s education priorities.
Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. also celebrated the ranking, stating, “Florida is leading the nation in school choice, placing the power back into the hands of parents, where it belongs. Once again, Florida is at the top of the Parent Power! Index because of our commitment to providing maximum choice to Florida parents.”
Beyond its overall number one spot, Florida also earned top rankings in three specific categories on the Index—Transformational Learning, Charter Schools, and Choice Programs. These scores highlight the diverse range of educational paths available to students in Florida, whether through traditional public schools, charter institutions, private school scholarships, or homeschooling.
Florida’s commitment to educational flexibility is also recognized outside of the CER’s Parent Power! Index. The state has earned a #1 ranking for Education Freedom from both the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Furthermore, the EdChoice Friedman Index also placed Florida at the top, and U.S. News and World Report ranked the state second in overall education.
These accolades point to Florida’s wide-ranging support for educational innovation and parental empowerment. With consistent backing from state leadership and a strong policy framework, families in Florida continue to enjoy more educational options than almost anywhere else in the country.
As the state continues to expand and refine its school choice policies, many education experts and advocates are closely watching Florida as a national example of how giving parents more control can shape the future of learning.
