A study examined state-level collaborative planning strategies that have been developed in Wisconsin to coordinate the efforts of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the state's higher educational institutions with respect to the development of community education in the state. During the study the following areas were explored: the establishment of a common statewide direction and philosophy of community education, the role relationship and functions of the two community education centers, and the communication and dissemination mechanisms used in planning and implementing a statewide strategy. The review of Wisconsin's model for planning community education programs indicated that the strengths of the model appear to be in four major areas: (1) the state advisory council acting as the central planner; (2) the external planning and collaboration of the two state centers; (3) the development of a consistent philosophy of community education at the state and local levels; and (4) the emergence of a possible fourth partner in the state scene, the Wisconsin Community Education Association. Among the problems that persist in the state's community educational planning efforts are the need to broaden the focus and relevance of community education and the need to reduce the high turnover of council membership that is set forth in council bylaws. (MN)