BUILDING FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY - Kennedy Bibliothek

viii) The program must provide for the active and continuous involvement
of institutions, groups and individuals broadly representative
of the community served. They must be continually involved
in the assessment of community needs, the identification of community
resources, and in program evaluation.
37. Beyond these basics, the desire is to fund a number of programs
across the country which are trying innovative approaches to meeting community
needs and which might serve as models for other programs. Program
funds, therefore, go to different regions of the country with programs
to be run by different groups within the community in co-operation
with the schools and directed toward many different problems.
38. Grants to the State education departments develop their capacity to
aid the development of community education in their State. Each State
department develops its own plan based on the needs it perceives, its
relationship to the local education agencies, and its unique goals. Programs
include staff training, workshops for school officials and community
leaders, and other technical assistance.
39. Financial assistance is provided to a number of colleges and universities
to help establish or expand programs which will train persons
to plan and operate community education programs. Again, there will be
experimentation with different training methods and approaches to various
issues. Training programs will focus on the different leadership positions
in community education, improving the skills needed for successful
programs, and improving knowledge of community structure.
40. During the year for which these grants are awarded, the staff of
the Community Education Program works closely with the grantees. Through
this relationship, the funded programs receive technical assistance and
through their experimentation and evaluation, they will contribute to a
growing body of knowledge about community education.
41. The Community Schools Act has also mandated that a Community Education
Clearinghouse be established to collect and disseminate information
about community education. The clearinghouse will take a very active role
in identifying areas where there seems to be lack of materials and working
closely with programs across the country. The staff of the Community
Education Program will work closely with the clearinghouse, helping to
develop its priorities based on the experience and needs of the grantees.
42. To advise the Commissioner of Education on policy matters related to
community education, the Act provides for the establishment of a national
Community Education Advisory Council. This Council is selected by the
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