ATLANTA – State Representative Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), the Georgia House Majority Whip, announced today his intention to push for passage of a Parent Trigger Bill during next year’s legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly. The measure will give parents a greater voice in school governance.
“We have been working with parents and educators on this issue for some time,” said Rep. Lindsey. “However, the events at North Atlanta High School highlight the need for this kind of legislation. Parents, students, and school staff were completely cut out of the decision making process. That is no way to instill needed confidence to improve our schools.”
A parent trigger bill will make it easier for parents to petition to convert their existing traditional public school into a local public charter school, which would give parents greater control over their children’s education and give the school greater flexibility in improving student achievement.
“An integral part of improving education in Georgia is greater parent buy-in to their children’s education. The parent trigger proposal will assist parents with this in both well-established and struggling low performance schools,” Rep. Lindsey continued. “A quality education for all of our state’s children is critical to their future and ours. All parents should be given a greater voice in achieving this.”
Representative Edward Lindsey was elected Majority Whip by the Republican Caucus, the fourth highest ranking position in House leadership, on December 17, 2009. He represents the citizens of House District 54, which includes portions of Atlanta. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and currently serves on the Rules, Appropriations, Education, Ethics, Industrial Relations, and Judiciary committees.
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