What's "The New Paternalism"?

The Commonwealth Club's media and public relations team sends word with additional information on the November 14 speech by David Whitman: Secondary Schools that Succeed:

Veteran journalist David Whitman will share his ideas on how a new generation of inner-city schools is closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. The common, yet rarely discussed ingredient these new schools share, says Whitman, is the practice of "new paternalism," a benevolent form of interaction where schools become “warm, caring places and teachers and principals form paternal-like bonds with students.” Whitman will discuss this historic achievement and how other schools can replicate this model.

Whitman covered social policy for U.S. News & World Report for close to two decades from 1985-2003. Prior to 1999 he served as the newsweekly’s chief correspondent covering social policy for 14 years. Whitman’s articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, the Atlantic, The New Republic, and numerous other publications. Whitman has also taught at the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University in Washington D.C. He received a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1978.

Part of the Koret Foundation's Principles of a Free Society series.

To purchase tickets to the event, visit The Club's web site.

Members of the press interested in an interview, attending the event, or other information, please contact Riki Rafner, The Commonwealth Club's director of media and public relations.