The Career Awareness Program (CAP) not only showed how improved school-community relations impact on quality instruction and student growth, but also resulted in identification of variables which affect curriculum change and program development in small, rural schools; these variables were administrative philosophies, community attitudes and resources, consultants, goals and objectives, in-service training, instructional materials, school system size, money, personnel, time, and school boards. Emphasis in CAP was on (1) career awareness through instructional lessons (including "quick cards" detailing concept, purpose, activities, and evaluation for 114 local careers); (2) career counseling through self and other awareness processes, career exploration, and pre-worksite placement seminars; (3) worksite training; (4) use of community people as guest speakers, field trip guides, mini course instructors and skills development supervisors, worksite instructors, and consultants for in-service teacher training. Evaluation showed direct exposure to community resources positively affected career awareness development and expanded learning opportunities and vocational skills development, and the on-going career awareness program positively affected career decision making. (RS)