Screening of 'Won't Back Down' Tuesday at CityPlex 12

Two education activist groups will host an advanced screening of "Won't Back Down" and panel discussion at CityPlex 12 in Newark at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The movie, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis, follows two mothers who take over their children's failing inner-city school under the parent-trigger law. "Won't Back Down" opens in theaters nationwide Sept. 28.

The little-known law, which actually exists in California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, allows dissatisfied parents to petition for control over their school. Under the law passed in California in 2010, for instance, parents at public and charter schools can demand one of four options: Force a staff overhaul, force the district to replace the principal and make other changes, like modifying teacher contracts or creating smaller classes, convert the school into a charter or close the school.

In 2010, New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) filed a parent-trigger law that would give parents three options: Replace the school's staff, convert the school into a charter or request vouchers to attend other public or private schools, according to NJ Spotlight.

Trigger laws are being considered, or have been considered, in more than a dozen other states.

The screen and panel discussion is hosted by StudentsFirst and Better Education for Kids (B4K). The panel will be moderated by The Star-Ledger's Tom Moran and will feature Abbott Leadership Institute Director Junius Williams, President of the Newark Secondary Parents Council Wilhelmina Holder, iReform Executive Director Eric Stevenson and B4K Executive Director Derrell Bradford.