Gary Rubinstein, who teaches math at Stuyvestant High School in New York City, went to a preview of “Won’t Back Down.”
He had some trepidation because he had heard the speculation about its content.
But being an intrepid movie goer, he decided to watch it for entertainment value.
He reports that it is not a very good movie.
He critiques the many inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the movie.
This parent trigger law, unlike any in the real world, requires the approval of a majority of both parents and teachers.
The teachers in the movie are unhappy because their union contract will not permit them to stay after school to help kids who need help.
The principal is a cheater with enrollment data, but the teacher who knows it doesn’t report him.
At the happy ending, after the parents and staff have dumped the one terrible teacher and their awful union, they create their own non-union charter school. This is unlike the real parent trigger laws that have been promoted by charter chains trolling for new business, by Michelle Rhee, Jeb Bush and ALEC. Apparently none of the corporate sponsors makes an appearance.
If you see it, let me know what you think.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
We’re actually watching it as part of our English Teaching Methods course in my graduate program. The 12 of us in that class are not optimistic about its implications. I plan on writing a post about it after I’ve seen it. I look forward to contributing to the conversation.
Me I’m boycotting it. So I’ll never see it. No way I’m putting my money in the pocket of the vermin who are backing this movie. See http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/09/11763/wont-back-down-film-pushes-alec-parent-trigger-proposal
Please do let us know what you think. I can’t bear to see it myself. I did appreciate reading Mr. Rubinstein’s review. According to that review, reference is made in the movie to a 600 page union contract that apparently prohibits teachers from helping their students after 3 pm. The contract for our district is about 50 pages long including the index and appendices. There is NO LANGUAGE that could in any way be construed as prohibiting any of us from going the extra mile. We can and do work many hours beyond the contractual minimum. Where did this myth come from that union contracts were designed to hamstring progressive reformers and protect lazy teachers. Anyone out there working under a contract that says Don’t help the kids?
Actually, there has been what would be considered a parent trigger in RI’s charter law since the mid-90’s, requiring a majority of parents and 2/3rds of teachers. This would also just create a “district charter” which keeps the teachers as district employees in their union bargaining unit. I’m pretty sure RI isn’t the only state with laws like this lying around mostly unused.