'Parent trigger' bill fails in Senate

FLORIDA — A hotly contested bill to give parents a vote on turning around failing public schools has been defeated in the Florida Senate.
 
The "parent trigger" bill (HB 867) failed on a 20-20 vote Tuesday after a long debate.
 
Opponents called it an effort to allow private companies to take over public schools. Supporters said it would give parents a voice in charting a turnaround for failing schools.
 
It's the second straight year the Senate has defeated the contentious proposal.
 
Senators revised the bill this year to make local school boards the final decision makers on turnaround plans.
 
Local boards would have to consider options preferred by parents. The actual voting by parents would be done through a petition drive. Options could include turning the failing school into a charter school.

WFTV