[nmh]

“There will always be a “slant” to education — whether public or private. But a public school should reflect the community’s standards and culture.”

Look at what you stated. I quote you exactly.

If a “community” has LOW standards and perhaps an armpit like Newark, NJ are they supposed to reinforce LOW, uncivilized “standards”?

I don’t think so. Regardless of “community standards” and “culture” - HIGH STANDARDS and CIVILIZED culture are desperately needed. Our standards are too often LOW or nonexistent. We don't need more of that.

[durasell]

I meant political slant and standards.

However, a school cannot operate in isolation from a community. The schools in Newark — as well as schools in de-populating rural communities in crisis — will reflect the larger environment. Is this a good thing? Nope. But the truth of the matter is, schools won’t save a community, the community has to save the schools.