This paper discusses educational innovation and is comprised of five sections: (1) a review of previous years of educational innovations in the U.S., (2) processes associated with innovation, including an analysis of two national case studies, (3) research findings about the implementation of innovations, (4) a major thesis about centralized decision-making, and (5) an analysis of the need for higher quality educational research and development. The paper concludes with a call for creative and tested educational innovations. An extensive reference list is included. (Author/LD)