This paper summarizes issues and perspectives that form the basis of current educational debate. The paper contends that early in the 21st century, Hispanics and other minorities will constitute the majority of the work force in major markets across the nation. The lack of preparedness of over half the potential pool of minority workers will have a profound negative impact on the U.S. economy. The paper sketches and notes the disadvantages of three potential strategies: (1) expensive retraining of workers; (2) reformulation of jobs so that they require low skill attainment and pay sub-living wages; and (3) automation or the seeking of skilled workers from abroad. The paper summarizes major themes of the education reform movement and presents the following broad policy recommendations: (1) business leaders must play a more powerful role in the national education debate; (2) strong parent involvement in school-based activities and in supporting education at home must be vigorously promoted; (3) accountability and national standards must be set and upheld; (4) the dependency of the U.S. retirement system on the contributions of minority workers must be publicized; and (5) a balance must be struck between reforms that require increased revenues and those that require behavioral and organizational change. Two appendixes are included. (AF)