This policy paper of the Regents of the University of the State of New York describes the need for partnerships between parents and schools, principles underlying such partnerships, and obstacles to establishing such partnerships. In addition to covering these topics, the first part of the paper discusses family, community, and school responsibility for children's education and offers guidelines for developing programs for children and families. The second part of the paper lists the activities of participants in parent partnerships in New York State. These participants are drawn from: (1) families; (2) boards of education, community school boards, and school districts; (3) schools; (4) communities; (5) institutions of higher education; (6) libraries, museums, and cultural institutions; (7) the business community and labor organizations; and (8) the state education department. A list of members of an external advisory committee that helped develop this policy paper is appended. (BC)