The result is that we have more children raised in day care shortly after birth, the most critical years in a child's life. So, when children are ready to enter school, many lack the parental support they need. It's not that parents are neglectful; it's just that trying to maintain the way of life previous generations enjoyed is not a given. The times are tough and scary.

We now see children coming to school mirroring the stress and crises our families face today. You only have to visit a middle school and listen to teachers and counselors to know the silent pain these preteens bring to school each day. Aside from having entered a bigger, more impersonal school, worrying about identity and changing hormones, they now have to worry about parents struggling with the mortgage, jobs, unemployment, terminal illnesses, family breakups, health care, all while making sure their children are not too different from their peers. The focus Mary Kaye Huntsman hopes to give to this age group in the form of older student mentors is a welcome effort. After all, they are often the forgotten years.

One of the best ways to help families provide the basics for their children is to have a state that is economically stable, where parents are able to earn a living, have affordable health care and can spend time with their children so that they come to school ready to learn and will persevere when things get tough.

In considering education policy, the Legislature ought to embrace the culture Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. wants to create — an environment that encourages new and bold thinking and rewards risk-taking in our schools. Most important, the governor and Legislature must focus on understanding the socioeconomic forces that adversely affect today's families and formulate comprehensive policies that strengthen them. Then, instead of pointing fingers, we can all share in the success of our schools.

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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