CER Press Release
Washington, DC
September 3, 2013
Indiana Leads Ranking; Montana Brings Up the Rear;
Past year saw little progress, according to CER
Only five states have shown above average progress in meeting 21st century education needs and parent demands, according to the second annual Parent Power Index released today by The Center for Education Reform (CER), the nation’s leading advocate for lasting, substantive and structural education reform in the US. Despite much progress over the course of the modern education reform movement, most states afford parents very little power and opportunity to get the best education possible for their child.
“Standards should not only apply to what happens in schools but what happens in legislative action,” said CER President and Founder Jeanne Allen. “The bar needs to be high for lawmaking and we set that bar with the Parent Power Index to ensure that policymakers know how their actions affect parent and students.”
A median score of 66.2 (Texas) shows just how poorly most states have implemented policies that provide a myriad of opportunities to access and find information about quality teaching and learning.
The PPI is an interactive, web-based tool based on CER’s evaluation of qualitative and proven state policies. States that ranked the highest give parents more opportunity to be engaged directly in the education of their children who have access to more and better learning opportunities.
A look at the education scorecard of the Parent Power Index reveals several improved rankings and many states that have remained stagnant. The best, the most promising and the worst states are highlighted in a brief Back to School report. The full state-by-state details, including Index methodology can be found at https://edreform.com/in-the-states/parent-power-index/.
CER, since 1993, is the leading voice and advocate for lasting, substantive, and structural education reform in the U.S. This October 9th the organization will celebrate 20 years making schools work better for all children with a major conference and gala. Media registrations can be obtained through Patrick Burke, [email protected].