The first of two papers presented in this publication examines the problems of establishing and maintaining a rapport between colleges of education and local schools for their mutual benefit. In an ideal setting and relationship, colleges would conduct research and controlled demonstrations, with the results of the research being implemented by the schools for the continued improvement of educational practice. Schools would define their major needs and this definition of needs would produce research agendas the colleges would undertake. Ways in which this ideal could be achieved are considered. The second paper describes a program in which collaboration between a consortium of institutions of higher education and local education agencies developed an inservice field-based program for certification in early childhood education. (JD)