The media has criticized the American education system for being slow to implement technology in schools. To remedy that perception, the federal government and private corporations have planned additional funding for technology. This paper reflects on previous attempts to change, such as "New Math" or the "Follow Through" post-Head Start program, which fell short because of an absence of vision, inconsistency with school culture, lack or misdirection of resources, or lack of planning. Today's would-be innovators must guard against similar failures. (Contains 13 references.) (BEW)