It is not that the ideas we come up with are wrong; rather, we don't take the time to see the education system in its totality — how dysfunctional it has become and how it is sustained by those who benefit from keeping it that way. And therein lies the challenge parents and lawmakers face in giving new vitality to our ailing work force and economy. Those running the system will resist and offer cosmetic solutions without changing the system for today's new economy.

Fixing our education system calls for parents, citizens, employers and political leaders to have the will to answer those questions to renew the purpose of education to meet today's needs. Piecemeal solutions will no longer do if we are serious about keeping up with other nations that are building their education systems and are overtaking our place in the world economy. We can't afford to tinker with piecemeal solutions if we care about the future of our children and our way of life.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations and has 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