The Citizens Planning and Housing Association deserves congratulations for its third annual city series of public discussions. This year's opening forum explored arts, culture and recreation in our multi-ethnic city. It drew a capacity crowd. The remaining forums should be equally provocative.

Education is the topic of the 7:30 forum tomorrow night at Morgan State's McKeldin Center. Issues ranging from whether curriculum should reflect pupils' race to whether various ethnic groups require different teaching methods will be discussed by a star-studded panel and President Calvin Burnett of Coppin State as moderator.

Economic development will be the topic of the April 3 forum at Arena Players, with former Rep. Parren J. Mitchell moderating.

The final session, May 1, will focus on politics in this local election year. Former Mayor Thomas J. D'Alesandro III will lead the discussion at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

From its beginnings, Baltimore has been a city rich in ethnic diversity. That mosaic has become more varied as new ingredients have been added. These forums are a good way to explore how ethnic differences and similarities shape Baltimore's educational, economic and political institutions.