Ed secretary: Equity starts in schools

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says the only way to achieve equality in society is to achieve it in the classroom.

Duncan spoke Wednesday to members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People during its annual convention in Kansas City.

He said it's not enough to know that minority children trail white children academically. Instead, the country needs to stop making excuses and address the problem.

Duncan said the solution starts at home. He says too many children are spending too much time watching television instead of reading.

And he said it's also necessary to give the neediest students the best teachers and take drastic steps to turn around failing schools.