History of Community Education

In February, 1971, the Weatherford Independent School District organized the first Community Education program in Texas.  The concept of community education has been in existence in American education since the early 1900s. The one room, little red schoolhouse was built, governed, and used by the community and it served a community purpose that was educational, social, cultural, recreational, and personal.  The school reflected the value system of the community in which it was located and was viewed as a “community school.”  As in other areas of education philosophy, community education follows cycles of growth and support and recognition as an important component in the development of a “community of learners.” 

After a period during the 1920s of limited access to school facilities by the community, Frank J. Manley, an educator, and Charles Stewart Mott, a wealthy local industrialist, in Flint, Michigan initiated the modern community school movement in the 1930s with the idea of using public schools during non-traditional times.  The “lighted schoolhouses” were opened in the late afternoon and evening, weekends and summers for a series of educational, social, cultural, health and recreational activities, events, and Community Education programs for all ages. 

In 1971 the Texas Center for Community Education was established at Texas A&M University under the direction of Dr. Robert I. Berridge.  Weatherford ISD was the first school district in the State of Texas to adopt and implement the concept of Community Education.  Mr. Bill Pounds was selected as the first Director in WISD and was later named as the Director of Community Education at the Texas Education Agency.  Mr. Phil Simmons was the second Director of Community Education for WISD and served in that position until 1986.  For the next  fifteen years, Jane Westbrook held the position of Director of Community Services. Karon Lowe took over the Directorship in 2000 and remained until her retirement in 2007 at which time current Director, Dr. Chip Evans, joined the Community Education family. The program has continued to evolve and flourish meeting the ever changing needs presented by citizens of Weatherford and the surrounding area. 

A key component of the Community Education concept is the active involvement of local citizens in an advisory capacity to provide input into programming that meets the needs of the community.  The Parker County Adult and Community Education Advisory Council currently has 26 members and plays a very important role in the development of Community Education in Weatherford.  The membership of the local advisory council is composed of leaders from business, education, social services, civic organizations, retired citizens, and others who provide broad representation of the citizens of Weatherford and the surrounding area.   Several members have remained on the council as representatives since the creation of the local council.  Wanda Brian has been an instructor and council member since the beginning of Community Education in Weatherford.  The council was incorporated as a non-profit 501C(3) in 1987.  The Texas Community Education Advisory Council Association was organized in 1986 to provide grassroots level input and direction for Community Education at the state level.  Ms. Cathy White of Weatherford served as President of the state organization.   

The federal government became actively involved in support of the community education concept with the enactment of the Community Schools Act of 1974 and the Community Schools and Comprehensive Community Education Act of 1978.  Through these two acts, the federal government encouraged multiple use of school facilities; involvement of people of all ages, income levels, and ethnic groups; identification by the people of their needs and problems; development of a variety of human services; coordination among diverse agencies and institutions to eliminate duplication and multiple funding sources at the local, state and federal level.  Federal funds were once again made available in 1998 to establish 21^st Century Community Learning Centers in school districts across the country.  The centers are to provide community education programming for youth and adults, with an emphasis on after-school and summer youth activities conducted in the public schools. 

Weatherford ISD was successful in acquiring a 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant and opened Hall and Tison Middle Schools as an expansion of Community Education to meet the needs of a growing and changing community.  Over the years Community Education in Weatherford has established after school and summer programs for all elementary and junior high students, provided adult basic education instruction for hundreds of students annually as well as an adult high school diploma program, established the PASS academic alternative campus, initiated special program services for school age parents, children in homeless situations, and students with special counseling needs, and provided career and technology training for adults.