The author depicts life styles and educational trends in 1950, 1976, and 2001, and urges educators to prepare children for life in the 21st century. The 1950s were characterized by soap operas, inexpensive food and gasoline, large families, and aspirations toward a good education and secure jobs. Schools expanded to accommodate the postwar baby boom. Innovation meant expanding college prep courses. In 1976, television offers instant sports replays and international news; pocket calculators are common; food and energy are more expensive; life expectancies are longer; and 51% of all mothers have joined the work force. Education has changed in response to management plans, conceptual learning, performance, competency, and cognitive and psychomotor research. By 2001, students will be expected to know 5.6 times the volume of knowledge held by a graduate in 1950. The physical, cultural, and political environment will be different. Education will be the function of many groups, because learning will be seen as a continuous process with varied learning styles and stimuli. There will be personalized teaching, flexible scheduling, and training in creative survival skills. Educators of the 1970s must prepare students now to cope creatively with change. (AV)