This edition of "Noteworthy" stresses the interdependence of rural schools and their communities, and offers ideas for developing both. Americans are becoming more open to school-community cooperation and to expanding the school's mission to include community development. Such cooperation involves communication among community leaders, local business people, the media, the school, and its students. Each of these parties has a defined role to play. Students should be encouraged to study the community to learn about its economy, about research methods, and about themselves as citizens. The results of students' research can then be used to make decisions and chart plans for development. A "blueprint" for studying the community is offered, beginning with simple observation and interviews. Other "blueprints" include strategies for school-based entrepreneurship, schools and community development, community input and investment, and integration of community material into school courses. Several examples are offered of schools that improved their programs by using the communities as their focus of study. A sample community survey and a sample business plan are provided. The document concludes with more ideas for developing schools with a vision toward the 21st century, and a projection of what schools might be like in the year 2000. (TES)