This is a really perceptive (profound even) observation. I wish I'd thought of it! I was once leading an innovation project in lots of schools in the UK. A former Secretary of State for Education confronted me: "Oh, so you're using these kids as guinea pigs, are you?" I tactfully pointed out that these were kids who had been let down by the existing system. How are we ever going to change if we don't follow Jefferson's advice ("Above all, try something")