Florida secures top national ranking in Education Freedom for the fourth year in a row thanks to expanded school choice and parental rights
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida has once again earned national recognition for its education policies, securing the number one ranking in Education Freedom for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Heritage Foundation. State leaders credit the achievement to Florida’s commitment to expanding school choice, upholding parental rights, and fostering a transparent and flexible educational system.
Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized the importance of parental involvement in education, highlighting Florida’s dedication to empowering families. “In Florida, we are committed to ensuring parents have the power to make the education decisions that are best for their child,” DeSantis said. “Florida offers a robust array of educational choices, which has solidified our state as a national leader in education freedom, parental power, and overall K-12 education.”
The Heritage Foundation’s Education Freedom Report Card, first published in 2022, evaluates states based on five categories: school choice, transparency, regulatory freedom, civic education, and spending. Since the report’s inception, Florida has consistently led the nation, reflecting its focus on giving families greater control over their children’s learning environments.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas underscored the state’s commitment to individualized learning and parental empowerment. “Earning the #1 ranking for Education Freedom for the fourth consecutive year affirms a simple principle: education decisions belong to families,” Kamoutsas said. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida will continue honoring parents’ right to choose the best educational option for their child’s individualized needs. I am proud that Florida offers so many educational options that parents can have confidence in.”
Florida’s high ranking was supported by notable achievements across multiple categories. The state earned the top spot for Education Choice, reflecting policies that allow parents to select schools or programs tailored to their child’s unique learning needs. The ranking for Civic Education also reached number one, thanks in part to the state’s mandate that all students complete a civics course and the use of the Classical Learning Test in university admissions.
Academic Transparency was another area where Florida excelled. State laws now grant parents extensive access to classroom materials, reinforced by the Parental Bill of Rights, ensuring families remain fully informed about their children’s education. Florida also led in Teacher Freedom, providing alternative pathways for entering the teaching profession, thereby broadening opportunities for educators and enhancing flexibility in staffing schools.
Education experts point out that Florida’s policies reflect a broader national trend emphasizing parental choice and accountability in public education. By ranking first across nearly every major category of the Education Freedom Report Card, Florida has established a model that other states may look to emulate.
The full Heritage Foundation Education Freedom Report Card is available for public viewing on the organization’s website, offering a detailed breakdown of each state’s performance in the five evaluated categories. With this recognition, Florida continues to position itself as a national leader in promoting education systems that prioritize family decision-making, transparency, and civic engagement.
As the state moves forward, both DeSantis and Kamoutsas have affirmed their commitment to maintaining and expanding the programs and policies that earned Florida its top spot. The focus remains clear: ensuring that parents hold the reins of their children’s education and that schools provide diverse, accessible, and accountable learning opportunities for every student.
