This report describes a research project designed to promote teacher professional development in order to overcome school failure and improve teacher quality, focusing on encouragement of parent participation. The project occurred in a public elementary school in a mid-sized Brazilian city. Several meetings were held between researchers and teachers to discuss parent participation in their children's school life and the need to recognize the parent's point of view about certain school-related themes. A questionnaire was sent to all of the school's parents regarding: subjects they would like to talk about or receive information about; their children's interests; their own interaction with their children's educational activities; relationships with their children's teachers; and their children's problems in school. Results indicated that parents were interested in topics related to school and the process of schooling. Their children's activities included school plays, television, sports, and homework. Most parents closely monitored their children's school activities and had a high level of interest in their children's education. Over half of the parents knew their children's teachers, and over half indicated that their children did not have problems related to education. (Contains 11 references.) (SM)