A group of parents in Adelanto, California have decided they are fed up with their children’s school. In an unconventional effort to make changes, the parents will be taking control of Desert Trails Elementary School. They seek to implement several reforms, including a longer school day. The parents were granted permission from San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Steve Malone to continue with their plans. They are currently looking for charter school operators to run the school.
California, Chicago, and Texas all have passed “trigger laws”, and it’s currently being debated in additional states. “Trigger laws” allow parents of students at low-performing schools to sign a petition in order to fire all staff, turn school into a charter school, or close the school. Cynthia Ramirez, whose daughter attends Desert Trails, was reported by the Associated Press as saying, “It’s our kids. We can’t back down.”
No group of parents have been successful at fully restructuring a school under the “trigger laws”. However, parents of Desert Trails Elementary School students seem to be pretty close.
If you haven’t heard more about these laws, chances are that you will this fall when a feature film on the topic titled, “Won’t Back Down” is released in theaters. The film starring Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal tackles the topic and is produced by the same team that brought you Waiting for Superman. You can view the trailer for Won’t Back Down below.
Would you utilize the “trigger laws” in your state to improve your child’s school? Are parents qualified to make these decisions or should it be left to a local school board?
Jackie Bledsoe, Jr. says
Many schools across our country our failing the kids and families. That is pretty sad. We homeshool our kids, and I imagine if the school system was that bad that we’d just find another school if we didn’t homeschool. Unfortunately most families do not have the option to move or go to a different school. I 110% believe that parents are qualified to make education decisions for their children…and they should. Whether that be homeschool, taking over a school, or doing things to support what they are learning in traditional school. Good post Angel!
Lamar Tyler says
I strongly believe that the people who are against this type of legislation need to provide a viable option because there isn’t one for these parents. They are supposed to just sit there and accept that their children will have an inferior education which will position them to struggle in the longterm.
Jackie Bledsoe, Jr. says
Agreed, it gets to be a vicious cycle. It just doesn’t position them to struggle in the long term, but it makes it so the next generation will probably struggle as well.
Dr Michelle says
Good to see parents standing up. Can’t settle for less when it comes to our children. Prime reason why hubby and I started a charter school. More power to the parents.
yamine says
I believe that parents should start removing their children and homeschooling more, as well as feeding them bettwr because food directly relates to behavior in children. as opposed to sensing them to school to be brainwashed. Even if it means they have to eat beans for dinner..the public system has completely failed