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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Educated Reporter: Parent Trigger: Too Much Firepower for Public Education?

The Educated Reporter: Parent Trigger: Too Much Firepower for Public Education?:

Parent Trigger: Too Much Firepower for Public Education?

There's a significant buzz out of Florida regarding proposed legislation that would enact a so-called "Parent Trigger:" Dissatisfied families could vote to have a local public school undergo significant restructuring including being converted to a charter school or turned over to a private operator.

Similar legislation has passed in California and Texas, not without controversy and ensuing conflict, and Indiana is also considering enacting a parent trigger.

Here's part of the problem: There's no clear picture of what happens once the trigger is pulled or much hard evidence that the students would ultimately benefit from the intervention.

Florida is ranked third in the nation for its charter school laws, according to the latest report from the National