A “parent trigger” bill that was narrowly defeated in the Legislature last year is back and won a first, favorable vote in a House education subcommittee Thursday.

The bill gives parents a say in the fate of failing schools, allowing them to recommend “turnaround” options already required under state and federal law. The options include closing the school, converting it to a charter school or hiring an outside management firm to run it.

Proponents say it would empower parents to get more involved in a school where students are struggling academically. But opponents say it is a move to turn public campuses over to private companies and to circumvent the power of elected school boards.

The discussion on the bill (HB 867) drew a crowd to House’s choice & innovation subcommittee meeting. A similar measure last year passed in the Florida House but died in the Senate on a tie vote.

The bill takes aim at “consistent failure factories,” said Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, the measure’s sponsor.

Click here for the Orlando Sentinel story 

Controversial ‘parent trigger’ bill passes its first test in Legislature

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