This book examines the changing politics and administration of school-community relations. Among the array of recent educational improvement and school-reform initiatives nationwide, there is new interest in strengthening connections between public schools and the parent/community clientele. Part 1 examines changing school-community interactions in historical and theoretical perspective, with a focus on evolving questions of effective school administration, changes in the local politics of school administration, the effects of increased parental interaction on the schools, and the law as it relates to school-community relations. Part 2 addresses specific questions of administrative practice in improving community relations, including school-site planning, strategies for parental involvement, the direct management of community relations, and school-community outreach. The book also examines alternative perspectives on school and community. Each chapter concludes with a set of exercises, activities, and further suggested resources. Contains an extensive bibliography. (LMI)