By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-988380.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida Governor Rick Scott is looking at changing the rules for converting public schools into charters. Lynn Hatter reports the governor is floating the idea in a draft report of his 2012 legislative priorities.
Florida law allows 51-percent of teachers in a failing public school to vote on whether they want that school converted into a charter. Scott is looking to enact a Parent-Trigger, which would give the same authority to parents. The idea was supported last session by Michelle Rhee, the controversial former chancellor of the Washington, D.C. school system and education advisor to Scott.
"In order to truly empower parents, they need the right to demand a new school on their own, even if their administrators and teachers are resistant to change."
Lawmakers never acted on the proposal but it's coming back around. Last year California's Democratic-controlled legislature passed a similar law. The Foundation for Florida's Future, a pro-school choice group backed by former Governor Jeb Bush, has also moved it to the top of its legislative agenda.