In 1977, the Occupational Therapy faculty at San Jose State University, with support from a Special Improvement Grant, embarked on a 3-year curriculum revision. One issue of particular concern was the need to devise a system for involving the clinical faculty in the revision process regardless of geographic relationship to the university. The system that evolved became known as Mini-Councils, regional groups consisting of students and clinical and academic faculty who participate in fieldwork experience at the University.

Mini-Councils replaced the on-site visit system and shifted the emphasis from supervision of individual students to discussion groups focusing on general educational issues of mutual concern to faculty and students. The Mini-Councils have also strengthened the relationship between academic and clinical educators by providing a practical, efficient means of maintaining contact with students in fieldwork, and by helping integrate academic and clinical education.