Who We Are
The Minnesota Community Education Association is the state-wide membership organization of community educators. We are 1,200 members strong, having started in 1974. MCEA has members from all parts of Minnesota, including community education directors, staff, program coordinators, teachers, advisory council members, and community members. We offer our members services in the areas of legislative lobbying and research, community education resources, professional development, job postings, legal services, quarterly newsletter, and awards. MCEA strives to make community education a viable, useful, and integral part of the many communities in Minnesota.

Becoming a Member
Is easy! Just visit our Membership page for application and fee information.

Board
Our board of directors guides our organizations priorities and purpose. For information on our board members, including regional representatives, along with information on how you can become a board member, visit the Board page.

Committees
MCEA's committees range from legislative, to marketing, to data collection. Visit the Committees page for information on committee projects and how to participate.

MCEA Office
Our membership is supported year-round by the MCEA Office staff. For staff and contact information, please visit the Office Info page.

What Is
Community Education?
Community Education is an opportunity for local citizens and community schools, agencies and institutions to become active partners in addressing education and community concerns. Community Education brings community members together to identify and link community needs and resources in a manner that helps people to help themselves raise the quality of life in their communities.

Community Education is a unique education concept that embraces these beliefs: Education is a lifelong process; Everyone in the community - individuals, businesses, public and private agencies -- shares responsibility for the mission of educating all members of the community; and Citizens have a right and a responsibility to be involved in determining community needs, identifying community resources, and linking those needs and resources to improve their community.

Community Education results in: A responsive education system and an improved learning climate in the schools; Efficient and cost-effective ways of delivering education and community services; Broad-based community support for schools and other community agencies; An emphasis on special populations, such as at-risk youth and minorities; and Collective action among all educational and community agencies to address quality of life issues

Working together - through Community Education - Communities can address such concerns as: Child care and extended day care programs; Substance abuse; Senior citizen services; Student achievement/school effectiveness; Community pride/support for schools; Unemployment/underemployment; Literacy/diploma and degree completion; Community economic development; And many other community ideas.