The purpose of this study was to survey department chairs of the public twoyear colleges of Tennessee to determine (a) the degree to which these administrators understand strategic planning, (b) the degree to which they understand their institutions to be practicing strategic planning, and (c) the implications resulting from any observed discrepancies between the perceived and actual practice of strategic planning in their institutions. Data were gathered by administering study questionnaires to academic department chairs of Tennessee public two-year institutions. Sixty-four completed sets of responses were received from thirteen colleges.The study data support the idea that administrators do understand the nature of strategic planning. There appears, however, to be skepticism as to what degree they understand their institutions' practice of strategic planning. These findings suggest that institutions may wish to undertake a program of communication among its stakeholders-the governing board, the president and his key staff, and other members of the faculty and administrative staff. The purpose of such communication would be to update the various constituents of the institutions on progress with implementation of the strategic plan and to seek advice on areas where enhancement of practice is indicated.