“Won’t Back Down” Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

“Won’t Back Down” Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

“Won’t Back Down” Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal

by millerlf

by Mary Bottari and Sara Jerving — September 19, 2012 PR Watch, Center for Media and Democracy

• Projects: ALEC Exposed

Well-funded advocates of privatizing the nation’s education system are employing a new strategy this fall to enlist support for the cause. The emotionally engaging Hollywood film “Won’t Back Down” — set for release September 28 — portrays so-called “Parent Trigger” laws as an effective mechanism for transforming underperforming public schools. But the film’s distortion of the facts prompts a closer examination of its funders and backers and a closer look at those promoting Parent Trigger as a cure for what ails the American education system.
While Parent Trigger was first promoted by a small charter school operator in California, it was taken up and launched into hyperdrive by two controversial right-wing organizations: the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Heartland Institute.
ALEC brings together major American corporations and right-wing legislators to craft and vote on “model” bills