Review of school-community relationsuip studies in Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, and Washington, D.C., shows that these successful undertakings were guided by several objectives. Most important among these were (1) to develop information about means of local school-community interaction and communication and their effectiveness, (2) to become knowledgeable about local school-community issues, and (3) to cultivate public receptivity to survey recommendations. A variety of methods--including sample surveys, case study techniques, content analysis of school board minutes and other documents, interviews with local notables, and community meetings--were employed. The reports demonstrate the value of collecting data from several sources and by several means in surveys of this type. A second characteristic of the various study designs which merits duplication in other surveys is effort to examine the capacity of school personnel to hear and respond to public interests as well as to tell the public about programs. The study processes reflect an action oriented posture on the part of the researchers which could be adapted usefully to other settings. (TT)