Parents Defeat Parent Trigger in 3 States

By dianeravitch

April 7, 2013 //

Parents mobilized to defeat the so-called “parent trigger” in three states.

They referred to it as the “corporate empowerment” bill.

It could also be called the Corporate Enrichment bill.

Categories Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Parent trigger, Parents

9 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

Lehrer says:

April 7, 2013 at 1:12 pm

More encouraging news! I feel like the tide is beginning to turn.

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teacherken says:

April 7, 2013 at 1:31 pm

gee, will Parent Trigger laws be like vouchers, defeated whenever put to the voters directly (with the one partial exception of S Dakota allowing for providing school book to religious schools) only to be imposed by state legislators who did not run on that issue?

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Linda Johnson says:

April 7, 2013 at 1:40 pm

Parents and other citizens are beginning to realize that once these schools are privatized, they no longer have any control over them. The tax-supported school then goes under the jurisdiction of the company or individual that takes it over. Basically these public schools are being turned over to private interests. It’s difficult to believe that laws were passed to allow this.

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George Buzzetti says:

April 7, 2013 at 1:58 pm

If your states “Parent Trigger Law” does not specify that only charter schools can “Pull the Trigger” you can use it to your advantage with a school district which does not care about you. In politics it is the “Art of the Possible.” Why not turn their corporate plan on its head and if you can do it in your state, we can here in California, have parents, teachers and the community “Pull the Trigger” and properly operate your school in a proper manner. What is wrong with that. As long as people have their heads in the sand they will stay there and be wiped out. It has always worked that way and as long as we are here it will continue to be that way as we are animals just like dogs. They are social and have rules of engagement.

So, I might ask, does anyone have the laws for those proposed “Parent Trigger States?” And do they exclusively state that only charter or corporatization privatization groups can “Pull the Trigger” or can parents, teachers and the community as a group “Pull the Trigger” also. Until we know this about states other than California no one has the real basis for a proper opinion. We have carefully studied this situation here in California and we can do it, now the question is can you also?

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educator says:

April 7, 2013 at 1:59 pm

In California, the law does not require an open meeting on the pros and cons of the Parent Trigger. Because the law was introduced and crafted by Ben Austin, the head of Parent Revolution, the group funded by our “favorite” corporations, it should be no surprise that he would not want anyone to get in the way of his invasions into unknowing communities.

At 24th St. Elementary, the latest trigger school and the first in LAUSD, the parents were treated to a presentation from perspective bidders. Crown Prep charter, already a co-locator on the 24th St. campus, is one of the contenders. Too bad no one bothered to tell the parents that, according to the charter petition for their present school, parents are not allowed on the board because the school doesn’t believe they should be involved with governance. Also, the CEO of the school will be chosen by the self-selected board who will then oversee ALL hiring.

These parents have been duped. Also, they will be trading a staff with an average of 15 years experience with a probable average of 3 years or less especially if they hire Teach for America as stated in the petition.

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- KinderTeacherinFLA says:
  
  April 7, 2013 at 4:00 pm
  
  Funny, the parents’ voice was important when deciding that the school was bad enough to close, but not important enough to decide how it should be run in the future.
  
  Something about having cake and eating it too comes to mind…
  
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Myra Blackmon says:

April 7, 2013 at 2:06 pm

Parents worked hard, most certainly. But at least in Georgia, there were many of us who do not currently have school-age children who worked to support and amplify the voices of the parents. It takes ALL of us to be sure we have good schools for all children.

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Sandra says:

April 7, 2013 at 2:57 pm

The FL Conference of the NAACP and FL League United of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) oppose parent trigger legislation that passed the Florida House and heads to Senate. Read the statement here: http://shermandorn.com/wordpress/?p=5832

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- KinderTeacherinFLA says:
  
  April 7, 2013 at 4:06 pm
  
  FL has always been a state by the wealthy for the wealthy, so no surprise they voted this way. Let’s hope Charlie Crist runs for governor in 2014: he put the real people ahead of the wealthy!
  
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