Maryland State Wire

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, Maryland secured the forty-eight position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 57%.

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

Maryland scored a 50% 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 62%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, Maryland earned a 62%.

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.

"With educational statistics in the most populous counties in the state showing a struggling public education system, the Old Line state has been stuck in the old days, refusing to expand the modest opportunities for students to have access to schools that best meet their needs and even cutting the state's scholarship program for poor kids in failing schools. Gov. Wes Moore's fiscal year 2024 budget cuts angered parents and was a disappointing turn of events in a state that limits parent power and where educational equity gaps are huge," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Whatever Governor-elect Wes Moore's views once were, the race for Governor has produced an apparent change of heart, in which he faithfully follows the Maryland Education Association's positions. For example, he proposes that: "As governor, I will support efforts to ensure teachers have the ability to include class sizes in their collective bargaining agreements." Moore does not support the expansion of charter schools, saying that he wanted to focus on improving public school districts but wanted to ensure accountability for current charters. This is in contrast to personal statements he has made and his work as CEO from 2017-21 of the Robin Hood Foundation where he supported dozens of public charter schools in New York City," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”