This handbook for educators offers guidance on ways to understand parents, parent-teacher communication, the process of reinforcing classwork at home, ways to support family communication, and resources. Contents offer: (1) practical tips and strategies designed to help educators develop communication skills for use in working with families; (2) suggestions on ways to encourage families to participate in school activities and develop learning activities at home with their children; (3) parents' comments about what they would consider most beneficial for the process of helping their children learn; (4) over 30 items that teachers and administrators can reproduce to help parents learn parenting skills and facilitate children's growth and development; (5) home/school communication assessment for educators and families; and (6) strategies for dealing with sensitive communication issues. Strategies can be used to help families create supportive home environments. Forms included in the handbook may be duplicated and sent home with students, distributed at meetings, handed out to staff, or otherwise disseminated. (RH)