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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has released
the 2025 Index of State Education Freedom. Author Andrew Handel
said the Index evaluates state education policies across several
categories, including school choice programs, charter schools,
homeschooling, and virtual schooling.
“The fifth category, which is the most important, is financing
programs,” said Handel. “That’s what allows dollars to follow
kids to whatever school that’s best for them.”
Illinois ranked 38th in the country and received a “D” grade.
“Illinois did have the Invest in Kids program, but the
legislature made the decision to shut that program down, so it
definitely had a negative effect on the state’s ranking,” said
Handel.
Handel said one category saved Illinois from receiving an “F”
grade.
“The one bright spot in Illinois was that it was one of a
handful of states to get an “A” grade for its homeschooling
environment,” he said.
According to the report, the top five states for education
freedom are Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Iowa. The
bottom five states are New York, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode
Island and Kentucky.
“Lawmakers now have a proven blueprint to prioritize students
while delivering universal education freedom for every family,”
said ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson. “This analysis underscores the
transformative policies that empower families, reflecting the
vital role of states as laboratories of democracy in shaping
education policy.” |
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