Yet Another Plan to Fix the Education Gap?The NAACP unveils one, and here's what sets it apart. Plus, we spoke with the U.S. education chief. |
From left: Alma Powell, Arne Duncan, Benjamin Jealous (Sheryl Huggins Salomon)
(The Root) -- On Wednesday the NAACP released a plan for ensuring that all children, including those who are black, brown or poor, can achieve their full potential in education.
Oh, no, not another report about inequity by a civil rights organization, you say?
That was the initial reaction of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, according to NAACP president Benjamin Jealous. Jealous unveiled the plan at a Washington, D.C., press conference attended by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; former education secretary and South Carolina Gov. Dick Riley; James Cicconi of AT&T; Ana Garcia-Ashley of Gamaliel; and Gen. Powell's wife, Alma, who is the chair of America's Promise. Jealous had approached the retired general for his family's support of the NAACP's new education-reform plan.
" 'Our family doesn't want any more part of studies or reports,' " said Gen. Powell, according to Jealous. " 'We