Wisconsin Community Education Planning Sheet

Thinking of Starting a Community Education Program?

The following steps are offered as a guide for districts considering starting a formal community education program. Contact Steve Kretzmann if you have additional questions, or if you have suggestions to improve this community education planning guide. Page references are for the DPI Community Education Resource Manual (CEM).

School Board Resolution and Support of the Planning Process

Discuss a school board resolution to study the concept of community education and appoint (school board) a steering committee (see page 61 of CEM for a sample resolution).
Discuss the plan for the initial steering committee meeting.
- Who will attend,
- what will the agenda look like?
Be certain that the steering committee has a consistent understanding of community education such as the ten principles of Community Education (Decker) and the Wisconsin Five Components.
Consider inviting representatives from the Technical College, UW-System, Public Library, Social Services, teachers, custodians, city council members, recreation staff, parents, citizens, service clubs, and business.

The Steering Committee

Members of the steering committee must learn more about community education. The steering committee needs to fully understand the concept of community education, and the potential impact in their community.

Consider reviewing the videotape Profile of Two Communities (available through the DPI Reference and Loan Library). The workbook is also available as a pdf file which you may download.
Review the five components of community education on pages 11-13 of the CEM.
Also review the Decker's nine principles of community education and Jack Minzey's nine beliefs.

A Suggested Initial Steering Committee Activity

Have all the participants take two minutes and write their own definition of community education.
- Share this example with a steering committee member.
- Next, discuss as a large group; "what does community education mean in my community?"
The next step for the steering committee is to arrange to inventory existing community resources, combined with a needs assessment (the needs assessment does not need to be complicated).
- During the steering committee meeting list, via brainstorming, all current resources in your community (see CEM, page 21).
- The brainstorming might generate such things as public buildings, organizations, current programs, city recreation, UW-Extension, businesses , service clubs, medical, agencies, people, and community services.
- Use the matrix on CEM page 20 to chart the location of existing programs and services. This will help determine the "gap" in your community.
A starting point for new program development and discussion; What are the critical issues and or major challenges facing our community? Brainstorm about the major issues and problems in your community. This can range from pre-school to senior citizens issues. Be sure to consider all issues and not just educational items. Use the chart on CEM page 20.

Partnerships

How could partnerships with existing community resources begin to assess and then solve community problems? Where are the greatest community needs? What are some needs/problems that might be realistically solved or addressed by the community education team program.

Vision

Now create your first draft of a five-year vision: In five years our community will be like......

Mission

The primary purpose of our community education program is .....

What will be accomplished by your community education effort by (pick a date).
Consider what should be the initial or early issues that might be addressed via the community education model.
How will our community by improved or changed as a result of starting/implementing a community education program?
How will community education impact all citizens including students.

Community education can only be successful if the results impact the success of students (all students of all ages) while improving the quality of life.

Implementation and Planning Questions

Think for a moment that one piece of community education is a support mechanism for the K-12 program.

How will community education impact kids?
Next, consider how community education will improve the quality of life in your community and support all citizens.
What about school buildings and other community facilities: How can your public buildings be better utilized by everyone in the community? How will this be coordinated? How will it impact K-12?
Who will cover additional costs?
How can your policy be revised to reflect this new philosophy?
Who will be accountable for community education results?
Who will provide the leadership to ensure results?
Will the council be the driving force or will hire or assign community education to a school staff person?
What will be the relationship between the council and the director - the council and the school board?

Goals

Discuss

New programs or stronger programs?
What kinds of programs might be considered in the early stages?
What will your needs assessment look like (see CEM pages 19, 66-75).
What about a community education brochure and/or marketing effort?
Start small - think big! Conceptualize the idea - see CEM page 17.

Goal Setting

List the four immediate goals that must be accomplished to ensure community education success in your community.

GOAL 1: List Objectives
GOAL 2: List Objectives
GOAL 3: List Objectives
GOAL 4: List Objectives

Next Steps

What are the next immediate steps you will take to make community education a reality in your community after you leave today?

Who will take action and be responsible and when will it happen?
What date will the steering committee meet?
When will you invite other area organizations together to discuss a common brochure?
When will you re-consider your current school building use policy?
Who will take the initial leadership development responsibility to organize community education?
Will you take advantage of the training options?
Who will be involved in your first steering committee?
What will that agenda look like?

See CEM, page 18 for developing action planning ideas.

Action Step 1
Action Step 2
Action Step 3
Action Step 4

Additional Considerations

How will you determine if the community education effort has produced the results you expect? How will it be evaluated?
Evaluation Plan. How will you measure results - how will you determine if you accomplished what you set out to do?
When will you bring a recommendation back to the school board for consideration?

CEM = Community Education Manual

All page numbers are referenced in the DPI publication called
Community Education: A Planning and Resource Guide

For questions about this information, contact Stephen P. Kretzmann (608) 267-9278

Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:08:00 AM