This book describes how school systems across the nation are seeking new ways to involve parents while strengthening efforts already in place. The introduction describes the need for strengthening the school's ties to the community, in light of increasing numbers of children living in conditions that predispose them to being at risk, such as poverty, drug addiction, divorce, and exposure to violence. Chapter 1 establishes that parent involvement improves student achievement. It discusses the benefits for parents, students, teachers, and administrators; the barriers to parent involvement; and school practices to encourage participation. The second chapter describes and presents examples of survey instruments that can be used to assess school-family relations. Chapter 3 presents four basic models of parent involvement and highlights three successful models implemented across the country. Types of parent-involvement programs and corresponding program designs are described in chapter 4. Guidelines for institutionalizing plans and practices through the formation of policy statements are offered in the fifth chapter. The final chapter provides strategies for involving hard-to-reach and at-risk parents. A list of professional organizations is included. (Contains 78 references.) (LMI)