On the other side, there are those that claim private schools have no accountability. Well, accountability without oversight and sanctions is worse than no accountability. To protect the status quo is equally wrong. We must stop blaming each other — teachers, parents, zealots — and work together to solve the real problem: We need a new education system.

Under our state Constitution, legislators "... shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a uniform system of public schools, which shall be open to all children of the state, and be free from sectarian control." The "buck stops" with them and ultimately with us. All they need is the political will to do so and the public to support them.

We have a choice!

Inscribed on the wall of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is one of his quotes about education in a free society, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Establish a law for educating the common people. This is the business of the state and on a general plan."

It's still a good idea.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net.