The role of the classroom teacher in the success of parent and community involvement efforts in American public schools is this document's focus. Because schools need to discover new ways to foster parental and community involvement in education, this document outlines a new perspective concerning parental and community involvement that encompasses the following three propositions: (1) schools cannot succeed without the collaboration of parents and communities; (2) families need strong support to become and remain functional; and (3) communities must take charge of their children's developmental needs. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Introduction," covering forces of resistance, learning environments, education myths, and school-community issues; (2) "Demographics and Trends Influencing Public Education," including population growth and decline, disappearing dads, population projections, single-parent families, and household income; (3) "Changing Attitudes," describing characteristics of effective schools, barriers to parental involvement, and sources of confidence; (4) "What the Research is Saying"; (5) "A Framework for Parent Involvement"; (6) "Principles for Successful Programs and Strategies for Reducing Home-School Barriers"; (7) "Implementation Strategies," detailing factors complicating parent involvement efforts, case studies, and principals' and teachers' roles in family involvement initiatives; (8) "Building Bridges between Home and School"; and (9) "Closing Thoughts," including a final examination on parent and community involvement. A listing of members of the National Coalition for Parent and Community Involvement (NCPIE) is included. (BGC)