COMPONENTS OF THE SOCIALIZATION COMMUNITY, EACH WITH A VESTED INTEREST, INCLUDE THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, CHURCHES, LEISURE TIME AGENCIES, SOCIAL CONTROL AND PROTECTION AGENCIES, RESOCIALIZATION SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, POLITICAL LEADERS, PARENTS, PEERS, AND THE MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA. CHANGE AGENTS MAY BE PROFESSIONAL OR NONPROFESSIONAL, MAY OCCUPY FORMAL OR INFORMAL ROLES, AND MAY EXERT INFLUENCE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. THEY ARE FACED WITH A LACK OF OPERATIONAL SOCIALIZATION GOALS AND THE NEED TO LINK THE PERSONAL GOALS OF YOUTH TO THE VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE LARGER SOCIETY. SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF CHANGE INCLUDE THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE LINKAGE BETWEEN BASIC RESEARCH AND AGENTS OF CHANGE, LIMITED DIFFUSION OF CREATIVE SOCIALIZATION DEVELOPMENTS, MINIMAL FEEDBACK TO FOSTER IMPROVED PRACTICES, AND INHERENT RESISTANCE TO CHANGE. THE SOCIALIZATION AGENT STRIVES FOR AN INTERNALIZED SELF-DIRECTION IN THE SOCIALIZEE, WITH INITIATIVE FOR SELF-CONTROL AND CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT. ISSUES REQUIRING FURTHER STUDY INCLUDE THE MANNER AND EXTENT OF INPUT ADEQUATE FOR CHANGE, THE INSIDE TRAINER OF THE OUTSIDE CONSULTANT AS MOST EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING CHANGE, MEANS OF PROVIDING EFFECTIVE MOTIVATIONAL SUPPORT AFTER COMMITMENT TO CHANGE, AND DETERMINATION OF THE TRAINING NEEDS OF SOCIALIZATION AGENTS. EIGHT PRIORITIES FOR ACTION ARE LISTED, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF DIALOG ABOUT SOCIALIZATION OBJECTIVES, COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR OPTIMUM SOCIALIZATION, INVOLVEMENT OF SOCIALIZEES AS PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOCIAL PROCESS, AND MAXIMUM UTILIZATION OF UNIVERSITY RESOURCES FOR BASIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING OF SOCIALIZATION ENGINEERS. THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN "CHANGE IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS," AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TRAINING LABORATORIES, NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, 1201 16TH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036, FOR $2.50. (JK)