Creighton legislation would strengthen schools, empower parents:

Community Report

AUSTIN — State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has co-authored a bill that would allow parents of children in a failing school to petition for the reconstitution, repurposing, alternative management or closure of low-performing public campuses after two years instead of the current statute of five years.

Senator Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, is the primary author.

“Senator Taylor and I are working shoulder-to-shoulder to advance and strengthen Texas’ current parent empowerment law,” Creighton stated in a release. “Parents shouldn’t be forced to subject their children to schools that are clearly failing to meet their needs.”

Senate Bill 14 has been named the Parent Empowerment Bill.

“Beaumont ISD’s recent corruption and abuse of the public trust is a prime example of why our parent empowerment legislation needs to pass this session,” Creighton stated. “We cannot waste a day when it comes to the education of our children. Texas students deserve every opportunity to reach their full potential and parents deserve every tool available to take action and make a difference in their school districts.”

According to the Texas Education Agency, over 146,000 students are trapped in almost 300 failing public schools with two or more consecutive years of failure.

“Strengthening Texas’ current parent empowerment law by shortening the wait period for parents’ ability to petition from five years to two consecutive years is a move in the right direction,” Creighton stated. “It is time for meaningful change in our communities.”

Creighton represents District 4, which encompasses parts of Montgomery, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and Galveston counties. He serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs, the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, the Senate Committee on State Affairs, and as the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce.