A study was based on retrospective descriptions obtained from interviews with a large number of teachers who have taught for over 20 years. Three areas of change in students were consistently noted in the descriptions: children today know more, are freer, and grow up more rapidly. More autonomous, and armed with greater knowledge, children emerge from childhood more rapidly. Societal influences have had much impact on children, parents, teachers, and schooling. Television and other media have also consistently influenced children and schooling. Changes in the family structure, the relationship between parents and children, the increase in peer group influence, and in children's attitudes toward teachers and school are equally important. Educators today are faced with youngsters who, by the time they reach high school, have acquired many material possessions, been entertained and partially educated by the media, achieved a sophisticated degree of sexual awareness, and attained self-reliance by virtue of changes in the quality of family support. These young people, having achieved many visible features of adult status, find it difficult to think of themselves as needing still more preparation for life. (JD)