10/02/12Lawmaker Proposes 'Parent Trigger' Law For Low Performing OK Schools
News 9 (OK) (10/02/12) Hertneky, DanaLike seven states that have parent triggers on the books, Oklahoma State Senator David Holt has proposed legislation to allow parents to drive change in low performing schools. If 51 percent of parents sign a petition, changes could be made to staffing or turning a school into a charter, among other things. Holt says that the law would include a menu of options for parents who sign a petition to turn around a low performing school. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi supports the legislation. "It really lets the parents customize what may be the best fit for that school, and it gives them the ability to move the needle in an environment where things might have been dragging for a while and they have not been able to see progress they want to see," said Damon Gardenhire, Communications Director for the State Department of Education.
