Can educators be effective change agents, and if so, how? Let's consider our opportunities from three viewpoints: 1) the social setting of the school; 2) the school systems themselves; and, 3) the teacher. Within the social setting, one of the most important limitations to change is the resistance of many parents. The new curricula and approaches will be largely stillborn unless we can convince patrons of the efficacy of key elements. As to institutional blocks, we find, among others: standardized tests, nationally produced texts, accreditation rules; bureaucratic structure of schools; and lack of economic pressure to change. As to teachers: 1) teachers are relatively isolated from one another; 2) lack of any real assessment of efforts; and, 3) teachers tend to be fairly conventional and conservative. Some steps toward strengthening the teacher's impact are: 1) encourage policy of employing, and appropriately rewarding, change agents in the schools; 2) differentiated staffing and differentiated rewards; 3) freer communication and brainstorming; 4) democratization of the school systems and classrooms; and 5) strengthened cooperation with parents and other concerned laymen. Two books are recommended for social studies teachers: Beyond Freedom and Dignity, and Without Marx or Jesus. (Author/JLB)