This book draws upon the experience of adult and community educators and youth and community workers to explore the nature and practice of local education. Chapter 1 examines the nature of local education and argues the benefits of setting aside "community education" in favor of "local education." In chapter 2, the local educator's role is discussed in relation to the following: choice, voice, convivial settings for learning, reflection on experience, conversation and interaction, and education as a fully human activity. Discussed in chapter 3 are the various strategies and tactics that local educators may use to initiate or joint in conversations, maintain them, and then leave them. Ways in which local educators can make decisions regarding the direction their work takes are presented in chapter 4. Steps for local educators to take in structuring their work are outlined in chapter 5. Chapter 6, which describes the process of engaging with local life, deals with such issues as the role of groups, power relationships, networks, and exploring cultures. In chapter 7, the works of key writers such as Dewey and Schon are analyzed in an attempt to build a model of local education. Chapter 8 suggests ways of fostering community, conversation, and praxis. Contains 431 references. (MN)