What Parents—and Industry—Need To Know About Education's Future

Forbes

4 hours ago

As the school year ends, many parents are breathing a sigh of relief—but they also have some critical homework of their own. America's education system is in crisis—one that transcends test scores and headlines. It's a slow-burning, systemic failure that has robbed millions of students of opportunity and taxpayers of trust. With all the money we spend, why aren't our kids learning?
Consider this: Governments at all levels spend over $850 billion annually on K–12 education—averaging more than $16,000 per student, and exceeding $29,000 in places like New York and Washington, D.C, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Yet the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveals that 69% of eighth graders are not proficient in reading, and 73% are not proficient in math. These poor results are not new. They have persisted through pre-pandemic years, despite record-high spending. If this were any other public service, there would be outrage. Instead, families are met with shrugs and excuses.
The excuses range from COVID-era learning loss to a lack of funding. But these rationalizations collapse under scrutiny. Student performance has been flat or declining since 2013, and pandemic relief funds—totaling more than $190 billion—barely moved the needle. That money is now gone, and districts are facing a fiscal cliff after investing in one-time fixes instead of systemic improvements. It was irresponsible spending with no accountability—and families know it.
Fortunately, parents are no longer waiting for top-down solutions. They are driving a movement for education freedom—a shift toward a future where learning is personalized, innovative, and accountable to the people it serves. That's what the Center for Education Reform's 2025 Parent Power! Index reveals. It's not a measure of school choice alone; it's a roadmap of how well states empower parents through access to options, meaningful funding portability, and a culture of transparency and innovation.
In states like Texas, Iowa, Indiana, and Arkansas, recent legislation has transformed the landscape. Texas jumped 15 spots in this year's Index after launching the largest day-one Education Savings Account (ESA) program in the country. Iowa made ESAs universal and expanded its charter school sector. Indiana enacted new policies to ensure charter schools receive equitable funding, helping it rank third nationally. Arkansas expanded its ESA program to provide universal eligibility, moving it into the top 10. These states didn't just talk about parent power—they backed it with laws that let funding follow the student and gave families the freedom to choose.
This momentum matters not just for families—but for economic growth. States that empower parents are also outperforming economically. When education policy aligns with workforce needs, innovation flourishes and businesses thrive. It's no coincidence that states leading in education freedom—like Texas, Indiana, and Iowa—are also magnets for economic development. Governors who deliver results in education are winning in other sectors too, because great education fuels a great economy.
Several other states also saw dramatic improvements. Wyoming surged 30 spots after enacting a new education scholarship program. North Dakota climbed 18 positions with strong charter legislation. Louisiana, Idaho, and Tennessee all rose substantially by expanding or creating new programs that prioritize parent-directed learning. These ranking shifts underscore a broader trend: bold governors and state leaders who enact strong laws and align workforce needs with educational delivery are leading the charge in responding to parent demands.
Meanwhile, too many states remain stuck in bureaucratic inertia. Nebraska slid 18 spots after voters repealed its newly passed choice law. South Carolina and the District of Columbia lost ground due to missteps in managing challenges to ESA and charter programs, respectively. These declines reflect the consequences of weak follow-through, lack of vision, or resistance to innovation.
State leadership is the key variable. In a polarized era, it is often governors—regardless of party—who are earning popularity and political capital by championing education freedom. When state executives embrace policies that fund students rather than systems, they don't just improve education; they build public trust.
Parents want more than vague promises. They want a guarantee that their children are worth the same amount in public funding regardless of which school they choose. They want transparency in curriculum and outcomes. They want innovation that breaks free from one-size-fits-all models. And most of all, they want urgency.
Education freedom isn't a theory. It's happening now in microschools, hybrid academies, online platforms, and career-based programs across the country. When parents are in charge, education becomes dynamic and adaptive. Students thrive. Educators innovate. Communities grow stronger.
This isn't just a policy imperative. It's a moral one. Every year we wait, another generation of students slips through the cracks. We need leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo, put families first, and fund education that works—wherever it happens.
The Parent Power! Index doesn't just highlight where states stand; it offers a vision of what's possible when we stop funding systems and start funding families.
That's how we reclaim excellence, restore trust, and fulfill the promise of American education.