Seventeen States Fail Public Education Standards in New NPE Assessment

The 2026 report card evaluates every state and the District of Columbia across 39 distinct criteria, including school funding levels, teacher-to-student ratios, and oversight for private alternatives. Researchers identified a statistically significant negative relationship between privatization efforts and policies designed to bolster public schools. While Nebraska and Vermont secured A-grades for their commitment to public institutions, Florida landed at the bottom of the rankings, scoring only 14 out of 102 possible points.

Carol Burris, the report's author, argued that these low scores reflect deliberate policy choices rather than a lack of state resources. By funneling billions into private vouchers and charter programs, statehouses have effectively abandoned the institutions obligated to serve every child regardless of background. NPE President Diane Ravitch emphasized that public schools remain essential to democratic life, contrasting their inclusive mission with the exclusionary nature of current privatized models. The findings serve as a roadmap for advocates, identifying specific legislative failures that continue to erode the quality of teaching and learning environments across the country.