The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is a strategy to involve the community in active participation in the development, amendment, and review of the local plan for special education. The CAC originated under the design of the California Master Plan for Special Education. The CAC brings together and supports parents and professionals, regular and special educators, representatives of different agencies, and concerned citizens, to enhance effective school-community partnership. Part One of these guidelines, titled "Community Advisory Committees: How We're Doing Today," discusses the CAC legislative mandate, key elements of a local plan for special education, suggested activities to fulfill CAC responsibilities, benefits of an effective CAC, and characteristics of an effective CAC. This section also describes steps in organizing a CAC, focusing on recruiting a core group, orientation, membership development, organizational structure, participation and leadership, agenda development, and techniques for holding meetings. Part Two, titled "Community Advisory Committees: Doing It Better Tomorrow," offers guidelines for developing action plans, outlines what CACs do best, stresses the importance of effective communication, and presents approaches to conflict resolution and creative problem-solving. (JDD)