Report: Florida makes it a 4-peat in educational freedom

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(The Center Square) – Florida is No. 1 in educational freedom for the fourth year in a row, a report from the Heritage Foundation said Tuesday.

The annual scorecard – in existence just four years – ranks the states across five categories. A No. 1 national ranking was achieved in education choice, transparency, teacher freedom and civic education.

The state was 15th in return on investment.

Anastasios Kamoutsas, commissioner of education, said in a release, “Earning the No. 1 ranking for education freedom for the fourth consecutive year affirms a simple principle: education decisions belong to families. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida will continue honoring parents’ right to choose the best educational option for their child’s individualized needs. I am proud that Florida offers so many educational options that parents can have confidence in.”

Arizona and Idaho rounded out the top three of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dead last at No. 51 was Maine, Rhode Island was 50th and Vermont 49th.

Also from the Deep South, Louisiana was fifth, Tennessee sixth, Alabama ninth, Georgia 14th and North Carolina 15th.

Heritage bills itself as a nonprofit formulating and promoting “public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values and a strong national defense.”