thisguy808, when you say 'we can't be so naive to forget that everyone is born with different capabilities', you forget that we have learned more in the past 24 months about the brain than in all previous history. we know now that stress mutates genes in fetuses just as do drugs, alcohol and other substances. that mean that poor kids are more likely to be 'born' with different capabilities. period. environmental upbringing for the poor also creates problems like PTSD and many other mental illnesses that are not addressed.  

and, 'shouldn't it be enough to provide a free and appropriate public education?' you might think so but it isnt true. ive talked to hundreds of west side high schoolers and they say their counselors tell them that the most they should hope for is to join the military. ive also talked to a few at punahou and iolani and that subject never came up. go visit the tech lab at iolani and waianae and see just how a free and appropriate public education really is.