Effective Strategies for State Education Agencies in Community Education Development: A National Assessment.

Overview & Synopsis

This study focused on successful strategies employed by state education agencies (SEAs) to encourage the development of community education programs and on the priority local education agencies (LEAs) place on community education. Questionnaires were returned from representatives of 51 state education agencies. The top ranked strategy for technical assistance was for SEAs to train LEA staff and community members. Strategies identified as most effective in encouraging SEA staff to plan cooperatively with other state agencies include sharing of materials and holding joint meetings between SEAs and other agencies. The rankings of strategies pertaining to the establishment of statewide community education goals included identifying state-level agencies to participate, charging an SEA staff member with the responsibility for goal development, and presenting goals to the state board. Strategies concerning the dissemination of community education materials imply that personal contact (through such means as speeches, awareness meetings, or bulk mailings) with target audience is important. The most effective strategy for financing a state-level community education position was funding through the federal Community Schools Act. A majority of respondents perceive that their SEAs have assigned at least a medium priority to community education development. (Author/JM)