Addressing the concerns and resources of small, rural school districts, this book sets out a rationale and model plan for school-community relations. After introductory material and a review of what's been done, the first major section lists and describes 10 criteria shown by research to be most important for a small school district community relations program: an evaluation component; someone delegated with specific responsibility for the program; a quality educational program; a planned and systematic program, including goals; needs assessment research; personal good will; honesty; sound media relationships; two-way communications; and enthusiasm. This section is followed by summaries of notable school-community relations practices in 30 school districts throughout the United States. The section begins with a list of 26 notable practices, including newsletters, learning at home projects, and monthly citizen luncheons. The final section proposes a model plan that incorporates the 10 criteria for success that were defined at the outset. Ten steps are proposed for implementing the plan: develop board policies; do needs assessment research; correct existing deficiencies in the educational program; set internal and external goals; give honesty priority; give personal good will and enthusiasm priority; plan the actual program; plan the methods of communication; execute the program; and evaluate the success of the program. (JHZ)