Researchers asked chief state school officers in 50 states and 6 territories about their opinions of the essential components of community education, their perceptions of current and future state department roles in community education development, and their recommendations for implementation of the state roles. The 51 respondents ranked the three most important elements of community education to be a process for matching community resources with community needs; sponsorship of cooperative programs with other agencies; and use of schools as community centers. Respondents ranked the three most important current and future roles of state departments of education to be providing technical assistance to local education agencies in the design of community education programs; encouraging state education association staff to plan cooperatively with other state agencies; and establishing statewide community education goals. The three most important strategies recommended by chief state school officers for the development of community education at the state education association level were establishing a statewide community education advisory council; seeking state board of education approval of the definition, goals, and plans for community education; and seeking commitment from other state agencies to investigate the merits and feasibility of community education. (Author/JM)