Pennsylvania Ranks High for Parent Power in Education

Pennsylvania ranks #14 out of all U.S. states and the District of Columbia when it comes to giving parents fundamental power over their child’s education, according to the fifth edition of Parent Power Index (PPI), released today by The Center for Education Reform (CER). While only six states earn rankings above 80 percent on PPI, Pennsylvania scores 74 percent.

Parent Power Index is a web-based report card that evaluates and ranks states based on qualitative and proven state education policies. The higher a state’s grade, the more parents are afforded access and information about learning options that can deliver successful educational outcomes for their children.

“While it’s true some states have made progress, it’s not nearly enough to meet demand. Simply put, we need more learning options available to more families, and we need them fast,” said Kara Kerwin, president of the Center for Education Reform.

Some studies suggest that parent involvement does not impact a student’s grades, neither improving them or causing them to fall. But most educators agree that communication between parents and teachers is essential to a student’s well-being.