Appendix 2

Other Resources

Bagin, D., & Gallagher, D.R. (2001). The school and community relations (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

For all school administrators, this book provides theories, tips and techniques to help with daily communication challenges. Topics include managing crises, working with the news media, and communicating with external and internal publics. It also includes a section on how to evaluate public relations plans, an important part of an effective plan.

Hughes, L.W., & Hooper, D.W. (2000). Public relations for school leaders. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Although written for graduate students in education, this book is also very useful for school administrators. It provides a "solid conceptual base "for developing school public relations programs while also providing practical applications for the school leader. The book begins with a discussion of public criticism and conflict and ends with suggestions for community needs analysis and public relations program development.

Resnick, M.A. (2000). Communities count: A school board guide to public engagement. Alexandria, VA:

National School Boards Association. This book emphasizes the importance of school board members becoming engaged in the community to sustain the public's interest in the schools. Common principles of effective community engagement are described as well as what steps need to be taken for success.

Wright, A., & Saks, J.B. (2000). The community connection: Case studies in public engagement. Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.

This is a great resource for those wanting to see what other schools are doing to engage the community. The report first discusses trends in managing strategic planning and engagement and presents specific strategies for sustaining community involvement and overcoming obstacles to engagement. The second half of the report profiles districts from around the country that are engaged in effective strategies.

Washington Education Association. (n.d.). Building community connections: Initiating a community relations program for your school. Federal Way, WA: Author. Retrieved January 17, 2001, from the World Wide Web: http://www.wa.nea.org/PUBLICAT/COMMUNIC/BLDGCOMM.HTM

This report offers tips for building community support, with a list of suggested community involvement activities.