CS/CS/HB 867 - Parent Empowerment in Education

• Creates the Parent Empowerment Act allowing parents of students in F-graded schools to petition for selection of a specific turnaround option, with a petition valid if signed by a majority of eligible parents verified by the school district.

• Requires school districts to notify parents within 30 days when a school earns an F grade and is required to implement a turnaround option, including descriptions of available options and petition submission procedures.

• Prohibits for-profit entities from soliciting signatures on petitions and forbids paying individuals per signature; establishes State Board of Education rulemaking authority for petition format, verification standards, and timelines.

• Requires school districts to annually notify parents if their student is taught by an out-of-field teacher or a teacher with unsatisfactory performance ratings, and inform parents of available virtual instruction alternatives.

• Restricts assignment of students to teachers with less than effective performance ratings for consecutive school years, except for extracurricular courses with parental written consent.