This book recognizes that publicity is required for interpreting the school to the community and the community to the school. Well-designed community-relations programs can create a sense of friendliness and good will toward faculties, provide adequate financial support for schools, and develop a sense of responsibility in the community for the steady improvement of education. Theories, techniques, and tips to help educational leaders deal with communications challenges are detailed. In the seventh edition, two new chapters focus on crisis management, including school violence. Part 1, "Essential Considerations," includes chapters on the public character of the school, understanding the community, the importance of the public-relations program, and the program's policies, goals, strategies, and administration. Part 2, "Relations with Special Publics," includes chapters on the communication process with internal and external publics, preparation for crises, and communication about school services and special events. Part 3 concerns communication tools. Its chapters consider working with the press, the use of the media, the Internet, printed materials, campaigns, and school choice. Part 4 is concerned with the assessment of the public-relations program's degree of success. An index is provided, as well as a list of helpful organizations. (Contains 97 references.) (RKJ)