Community Development in Small Schools.

People working together on community projects benefit both themselves and the community. Quality Circles (Theory Z) is an example of this principle at work in industry. Employees who are involved in the decision-making process turn out a lower-cost, higher-quality product. This concept could prove valuable in small schools if students were permitted to participate in community development activities. There are many community development programs which are effective. One example is the Building Our American Communities (BOAC) program of the Future Farmers of America. In this program, students nominate projects from which to choose, appoint committees to study their possible success, and through consensus select one to work on. If these steps are followed, a successful outcome is assured which will benefit the students, the school, and the community. (DC)