The issues discussed in this paper center around the recent applications of laboratory-derived behavioral principles and techniques to everyday situations and problems, particularly those concerned with educational practice. A brief review of the ways that behavior modification has been used in education to date is included. Basically, the discussion focuses on three critical issues. The first involves the extent to which behavioral principles can contribute to the selection and specification of educational objectives, and the design of programs to meet these objectives. The second issue involves the shifting of emphasis from the early behavioral focus on environmental control shaping the child to consideration of how the environment can be manipulated so that children learn to control their own behavior and effectively change their environments. The third area of concern is the importance of systematic study of various methods of educational change, so that effective strategies can be identified. (DP)