But don't look for either our K-12 or higher education establishments to change the current system. Change must come from without. It is unrealistic to expect the mid-managers and special interest groups to allow change to happen. They may make cosmetic changes, talk about collaboration, but circle the wagons and kill the messenger. Their solutions are to call for more studies and blame the Legislature for not giving them more money.

A little introspection might be in order. The Legislature, for the main part, seems to have become part of the vested-interest crowd, so don't look to them for change. Some may do a lot of posturing, but more are concerned about their seat. Short of an uprising by parents and leaders from outside education, our children's imagination and creativity will be stifled by a generation that could have done something but didn't.

Can you imagine that?

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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.