Recent research and theory devoted to developing the socio-historical context of educational innovation may be enhanced and invigorated by considering some overlooked theoretical precursors in the educational and child development literature. These sources converge on the centrality of communication in clarifying recent advances in both experimental and schoolbased research and development. Focusing on student sensitive communication, a basic developmental process called intellectualization is proposed to establish that there are social agent-intellectual system relations to be investigated just as with the social agent-personality relations intrinsic in the ubiquitous socialization process. Relevant background literature is identified, and exemplary recent research is noted.