Change in social systems is often stimulated by individuals or groups of individuals who effectively link practice institutions, such as school systems, with knowledge producing organizations, i.e., universities. As basic research is developed and applied to practical problems, these individuals act to communicate this knowledge to those who may need it. In some cases, these change agents may also assist potential adopters in the installation of the new idea in their system. This paper investigates certain aspects of the relationship between these change agents and potential adopters. The paper focuses on educational change agents and practitioners in school systems, particularly as they interact to bring about improvements in the functioning and effectiveness of educational organizations. The discussion of the change agent-practitioner relationship is prefaced by an overview of some educational diffusion concepts. (Author)