The American Interest has a very important essay by WALTER RUSSELL MEAD that needs to be read and digested in any discussion of education reform.
http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2011/01/20/black-and-blue/comment-page-1/#comment-12968
The basic premise is that if we are to move from a different societal model, we must acknowledge the effects of the past on the minority approaches to society. Many blacks, especially those in the inner city, are very distrustful of local and state governments because of past discrimination that was only addressed by involvement of the federal government. If we are moving to a new model where there is less federal involvement, then this distrust must be addressed and there must be an open discussion of the basis for the distrust and those in local and state government must demonstrate that they can act responsibly for all the people in the absence of federal oversight!
Conservatives refuse to acknowledge this issue and they must; if they are to really convince the minority community that they will not revert back to old ideology with this new approach!
