This book shares what one educator learned as a teacher and administrator in public and private schools and business, examining where the country is in the process of reforming public education and suggesting that it is tired out from so many reform efforts. It notes that new programs often suffocate under the latest federal, state, or district focus, and despite major efforts by dedicated people, things have a way of going back to where they were. It points out that, when it comes to education, Americans have done considerable complaining, explaining, reforming, and spending without the desired effect. The book develops a theory as to why this is true and offers a framework for change. Interweaving ideas from systems studies, science, business, and the arts, the book recommends leaving the current frame of public education and taking an unconventional look at other forms of education currently available (e.g., charter schools). Nine chapters examine: (1) "Where Are We?"; (2) "Box? What Box?"; (3) "Class Size Reduction: An Example of Major School Reform"; (4) "Now What?"; (5) "Enter: Theseus"; (6) "The Parallel Systems Concept"; (7) "Defining Open Systems"; (8) "Open Systems Components"; and (9) "21st Century Contextual Considerations." (Contains 32 references.) (SM)