The U.S. public education system, encumbered by an organizational structure developed at the turn of the century, is in trouble. This document presents a culminating discussion of the need to restructure the educational system. A strategy is suggested for examining the paradigms that maintain our educational system. A set of questions is provided for districts and schools to consider when redesigning the organizational structure. New methods are suggested that involve the whole community in defining and improving the system to ensure greater student success. Section 1 is a philosophical framework that reviews previous publications; considers the cultural misalignment between the community, the home, and the school; examines the failure of past reforms; and discusses shifts in the paradigms that shape the organizational structure of schools. Section 2 presents the practical application of the process and also contains an illustration of a new decision-making paradigm in action with examples from a gorup of Texas educators. The workbook included at the end of this section suggests one possible strategy for changing the system based on community beliefs and values. The appendixes include information about participating Texas educators and districts as well as a compilation of statements of belief about improving educational practice. Approximately 80 references are cited. (MLF)