The article identifies the legislative intent behind KDES/MSSD (Kendall Demonstration Elementary School/Model Secondary School for the Deaf), discusses the failure of traditional educational models to impact upon the field, and points out how the KDES and MSSD hope to become change agents in the field of deaf education by serving as national resources. Rationale is given for the KDES/MSSD selection of particular approaches to educational change; also reasons are given why it is believed these will succeed where others have failed. (Author/SBH)