Parent Trigger describes state legislation that gives parents more power to change poorly performing schools. To pull the trigger, more than 50% of the parents in the school must sign a petition to initiate the process. Once the shot is fired, parents can implement one of 4 options:
1) shut down the school,
2) fire the principal,
3) fire teachers, or
4) hire a charter organization to take over the school.
Seven states have passed laws with versions of the parent trigger. But Florida, in March 2012, voted down parent trigger legislation in a hard fought battle between activists on both sides. As many as 20 more states are considering legislation. Why? One reason is that it improves states’ chances of being waived from certain accountability requirements in No Child Left Behind.
Here are 14 articles to help you get informed.
Reference Articles
Hopes and Fears for Parent Trigger Laws - Room for Debate, The Opinion Pages, NYT
Five Minute Primer: Parent Trigger Laws - Donna Krache, Schools of Thought, CNN
Parent Trigger Laws in the States - National Conference of State Legislatures
Roundup of Leading Thinkers on Parent Trigger - Nick Pandolfo, HechingerEd
Opinions
Can Parents Take Over Schools? - Andrew Rotherham, Time
Putting Parents in Charge - Peg Tyre, New York Times
The Trouble With the Parent Trigger - Diane Ravitch, Education Week
Not Your Mother's PTA - Bruno V. Manno, Education Next
Support Parent Power - Gloria Romero, Los Angeles Times
No Magic Bullet for Schools - Editorial, Los Angeles Times
Why Florida's Parent Trigger Bill Failed in State Senate - Valerie Strauss, Washington Post
Michelle Rhee Interview About the Parent Trigger - Jeff Solochek, Tampa Bay Times
US Mayors Back Parent Trigger Legislation - Stephanie Simon, Reuters
Mayors Gone Mad - Diane Ravitch, Diane Ravitch's Blog
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