I'm not certain we attribute "that someone" with the free market in many cases. Education is quite solidly considered the purview of the federal and state governments these days, which I think contributes to that last second feeling.
When an opportunity for work appears in the free market, there is quite often a surge of responses. I hope it doesn't come across as cynical, but, I think often when there's an opportunity for work in the public market, there's quite often a surge of analysis and discussion and waiting until a response has to be given.
The author seems to call for a very American solution: lobbying... but I think all it takes is for teachers to be willing to test new practices. See for instance this TEDx talk on reengaging boys in learning through gaming: http://www.ted.com/talks/ali_carr_chellman_gaming_to_re_enga...
As an American, I may be unplugged from many of these happenings, but I feel like this is a stark difference between America and other countries. We seem to have a laissez-faire attitude that "If there's a problem, and a deadline for the problem, someone will just magically figure it out at the last second." And we often attribute that someone to the free market. On a broader note, as with any issue people seem to have significant worries about, what is a good way to actually begin solving it, assuming this general American attitude? I honestly don't know.