This paper describes the need for a regional dissemination system; the conceptualization of the Southwest Educational Development Labortory (SEDL) Regional Exchange as part of the nation-wide Research and Development Exchange (RDx); and the operation of the SEDL Regional Exchange (RX). It emphasizes that the Research and Development Exchange is designed to disseminate information about research and development (R&D) outcomes to educational practitioners; to feed forward information about practitioner needs and activities; and to link practitioners with information resources and training services. Undergirding the RDx (and thus by association, the SEDL/RX) are two assumptions: (1) That R&D should guide change of improvement, and (2) That "real" consumer needs should guide R&D. Perhaps a further assumption is that the R&D outcomes are not widely used to improve education because they are not responsive to felt "real" educational needs. The persons and institutions directly involved with the RDx (whether members of Advisory Boards, RDx staff, and National Institute of Education staff) believe that accomplishment of RDx goals (and SEDL/RX objectives) will contribute greatly to operationalizing the second assumption which in turn should actualize the first assumption. (Author/BW)