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PTA efforts strengthen 'parent trigger' process |
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SACRAMENTO - California State PTA efforts strengthened the parent empowerment, or "trigger," regulations adopted today by the California State Board of Education.
Over the past two years, the PTA has urged legislators and the State Board of Education to provide more information and transparency for all parents at low-performing schools where petitions for one of several turnaround solutions may be circulated under the new parent empowerment law.
"These changes will help parents make more informed decisions about their children's education," said Patty Scripter, director of legislation with the California State PTA. Scripter testified at the state board's meeting today. "These regulations make the process more open and allow parents to better understand their rights."
Among the provisions in the regulations that PTA worked hard to include are the following:
- It must be publicly announced when a school becomes eligible for the turnaround petition process.
- Any organization (such as a charter school operator or community-based organization) that financially supports a petition drive (including in-kind support) must be clearly identified on the petition itself.
- Signature gatherers must clearly disclose if they are being paid.
- Signature gatherers may not be paid on a per-signature basis.
- The CDE will create a website to provide more information on parent rights in the process, including a sample petition, translated materials, and more information on all the turnaround options that are available for consideration: closing the school; firing the principal and at least half of the staff; turning the school into a charter school; or turning it over to a management firm.
"Thanks to the efforts of our volunteer advocates and members, the parents of California will have more information to help them make decisions about their children's education," Scripter said. "While the parent trigger has attracted a lot of attention, PTA remains committed to ensuring ongoing, meaningful parent engagement in schools."
everychild. onevoice.
The California State PTA has nearly 1 million members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer association working to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial.
For more information about the California State PTA, visit www.capta.org.
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