TALLAHASSEE -- Legislation moving quickly in the Republican-controlled Legislature would let parents "trigger" the turnover of failing public schools to private management.

House Education Committee Chairman Bill Proctor, a St. Augustine Republican, rammed it through his panel without debate just before time ran out on a meeting today.

The bill (HB 1191) is being pushed by an organization founded by former Washington, D.C., public schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, who has advised Gov. Rick Scott.

In Washington, she angered teacher unions and even parent groups with her push to close schools, fire teachers, and get rid of tenure.

The bill is opposed by Democrats and the Florida PTA and other parent groups.

It's now ready for floor action in the House. A similar Senate bill (SB 1718) has one more committee stop.

LINK:  http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/mike-marino/2012-02-16/...