Five Best Ideas of the Day: October 27

1. In journalism, the ideological middle is fast becoming a myth. Journalists need a point of view if they wish to stay relevant.

By Jay Rosen in the Conversation

2. Shrinking public health resources and the fragmented health delivery system in the U.S. are the real problems with our response to Ebola.

By J. Stephen Morrison in Health Affairs

3. African-American girls are suspended from school at six times the rate of white girls, and this disproportionate punishment has a lasting impact.

By Lucia Graves in National Journal

4. Our war on ISIS is strengthening Iran’s hand in the region — and nudging closed the door on an independent Iraq.

By Paul D. Shinkman in U.S. News and World Report

5. Discovery-focused learning — think of the maker movement and home hacking — can save American education.

By David Edwards in Wired

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C.