Florida ranks first in academic freedom for fifth year

Florida has ranked first in overall academic freedom for the fifth consecutive year, according to The Heritage Foundation’s 2026 Education Freedom Report Card. The report evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia across five specific metrics: school choice programs, teacher freedom, academic transparency, return on investment for education spending, and civics education.

In the individual category rankings, Florida secured the top spot for both school choice and transparency. Other leaders included Arizona for teacher freedom, Idaho for return on state investment, and Louisiana for civics education. Louisiana’s high ranking is attributed to requirements for high school students to complete a year-long civics course and pass a test equivalent to the U.S. Naturalization Test.

The report notes a national decline in civics proficiency, stating that only 22% of eighth-grade students demonstrate a proficient understanding of U.S. history. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts emphasized the importance of states reclaiming responsibility for education through programs like K-12 education savings accounts.