This book offers a six-step process for eliciting broader community involvement with schools in order to improve students' educational environment. The need for changing traditional practices is discussed in chapter 1, which describes various ways to ensure equity and access while also rebuilding public confidence and support for schools. Chapter 2 examines a structure for community involvement that begins with new understandings and commitments on the part of governing boards. It identifies six components that can serve as a guide for action plans to move from confrontation to collaboration. These six components are: (1) enhancement of K-12 curriculum; (2) expanded use of community facilities; (3) additional learning opportunities for youth; (4) lifelong learning for adults; (5) delivery and coordination of community services; and (6) community involvement in decision making. The third chapter reviews specific programs that describe the community's new role and involvement in schools, including volunteer programs, school-community partnerships, community service learning, school-to-work programs, and full-service schools. Chapter 4 evaluates specific programs that describe the school's new role and involvement in the community, including supplemental academic, enrichment, and recreation programs for children and adults. The fifth chapter presents school leaders with the call to action necessary for successful school-community involvement in the future. It offers guidelines for strategies to implement enhanced school-community relations and some specific applications. (Contains an annotated bibliography and 25 references.) (LMI)