Education is a lifelong process;
Everyone in the community- individuals, businesses, public and private agencies- shares responsibility for the mission of educating all members of the community; and
Citizens have a right and a responsibility to be involved in determining resources and linking those needs and resources to improve their community.

Community Education is characterized by:
Citizenship involvement in community problem solving and decision-making, usually through community councils;
Development and implementation of lifelong learning opportunities for learners of all ages. Backgrounds and needs;
Use of community resources in schooling/education curriculum;
Opportunities for parents to become involved in the learning process of their children and the life of the school;
Optimum use of public education facilities by people of all ages in the community.
Coordination and collaboration among agencies and institutions to deliver educational, social, economic, recreational, and cultural services to all members of the community;
Partnership with business, industry, and schools to enhance the learning climate; and
Utilization of volunteers to enhance the delivery of community services.

Community Education results in:
A responsive education system and an improved learning climate in the schools;
Efficient and cost-effective ways of delivering education and community services;
Broad-based community support for schools and other community agencies;
An emphasis on special populations, such as at-risk youth and minorities; and
Collective action among all educational and community agencies to improve quality of life.

Working together through Community Education communities can address such concerns as:
Child care and extended daycare programs;
Substance abuse;
Senior citizen services;
Student achievement/school effectiveness;
Unemployment/underemployment;
Literacy/diploma and degree completion;
Community economic development
And many other needs.