In view of the national attention that has recently been brought to public school improvement, a list of suggestions is presented in the form of leading questions to guide communities in assessing the quality of their local schools and in promoting beneficial change. The evaluative questions touch on a wide range of issues: school financing (percent of budget spent on teachers' salaries); comparative results of standardized tests; success of graduates; effectiveness of leadership (school boards and superintendents); and condition of facilities. Other questions are prescriptive, concerning school-community interaction, aid to teachers, curriculum development, special interests, and essential priorities. Because of the necessarily slow process of change in public schools, patience, trust, and diligence are needed above all in any effort to cultivate a fulfilling and productive relationship between a school and its community. (TE)