As part of a research project examining interorganizational arrangements (IOAs) among educational agencies for school improvement, this study focused on one type of "freestanding" IOA, the industry-education council (IEC). "Freestanding" means the IOA is supported chiefly by its member organizations, not outside agencies. The author first reviews information from a national survey investigating industry-education-labor collaboration. Such collaboration was found to be recent, based on more traditional educational views, and characterized by common central purposes but diverse activities. A brief profile of the Industry-Education Council of California, a statewide network of IECs, is followed by a lengthy description of the Industry-Education Council of Santa Clara County (California). The author notes local educational needs, discusses the Santa Clara County IEC's origins, goals, staff, and activities, and reviews two of its projects, one on computer literacy and the other involving high school student employment resumes. The document concludes that successful industry-education collaboration is characterized by feelings of mutual ownership and commitment among participants, evidence of accomplishment, and involvement of non-members in some activities. Two appendices list the Santa Clara County IEC's membership and projects. (Author/RW)