Rushmore State News

In the Center for Education Reform's 2024 Parent Power Index, South Dakota secured the fiftieth position, with an Overall Parent Power Index Score of 54.2%.

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

South Dakota 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 50%.

In the final category of Innovation, scored on the state's dedication to fostering creative and personalized learning environments, South Dakota earned a 78%.

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.

"A beautiful and entrepreneurial business friendly state nevertheless seems to remain solidly opposed to more expansive and entrepreneurial schools, mainly it seems because the mythology that there's simply not enough students to justify new schools persists. Thus SD remains one of the only four states in the nation that does not have a charter school law and a tiny tax credit scholarship program exists for a only a few students to benefit, but a bold and expansive law that creates public and private opportunities might actually result in the same kind of new population growth that states with similar terrains are experiencing," the Parent Power Index notes.

"Governor Kristi Noem has not fulfilled her vow upon taking office to “protect the rights of parents to choose the educational path that’s best for their child, whether it’s homeschooling, public schooling or a private education.” It’s time for Ms. Noem to step up and champion innovation and opportunity in the final two years of her second term," Parent Power Index said in its assessment of the state’s “Policy Environment.”