IT SOUNDED LIKE A GREAT IDEA: Stanford education professors would create a model school to show how to educate low-income Hispanic and black students.

Or, as it’s turned out, how not to.

In March, Stanford New Schools (aka East Palo Alto Academy) — a charter high school started in 2001 and elementary grades added in 2006 – made California’s list of schools in the lowest-achieving five percent in the state.

How could that happen? It’s Stanford University. The teachers are well-trained, use state-of-the-art progressive teaching methods, and stress social and emotional support over academics.

“Support over academics” ... surely that’s not the problem. Or is it?