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.”