The fact that only 22 percent of adults in Illinois have children attending public schools challenges the idea of education as a "public good," yet despite many discouraging statistics concerning the public and the schools, there appears to be a growing awareness of the significance of education and an underlying foundation of faith in its value. In recent years public opinion of schools has changed; increasing numbers of Americans believe we are spending too little on the nation's education system. This booklet examines the implications for education of Illinois statistics on welfare and corrections and the link between property values and the perceived quality of a community's schools. It then presents the following policy options for reconnecting parents to their children's public schools: (1) school fact books; (2) school-run seminars to explain to parents what and how their children are being taught and how they may help to achieve the desired objectives; (3) parent-student-teacher contracts regarding responsibilites and expectations; (4) release time wherein businesses allow employees to attend to school matters; (5) parent hotline for information and help; and (6) personal pick-up by parents of their child's report cards. To reconnect the 78 percent without children in public schools, there are these options: (1) state and local district public relations campaigns; (2) local district outreach plans; (3) opening of school facilities to the community; (4) community service requirement for students; (5) community outreach as a teacher requirement; (6) educational banks; (6) community resource banks; (7) adopt-a-school programs for businesses; and (8) a local option modified voucher system tied to local school tax referenda. (LHW)