Because increasing numbers of children come to school with problems caused by poverty, divorce, drug use, and teenage pregnancy, schools may no longer be able to limit themselves solely to academic roles. This brief argues that schools, families, and communities need to work together to help children overcome the challenges that they face. It also recommends that policymakers, school staff, and parents should work together to improve: (1) child health, safety, and development; (2) home-school communications; (3) parent-school involvement; (4) home study; (5) site-based decision-making; and (6) school-community relationships. Supplements that review parental involvement initiatives, state-school collaborations, federal-state collaborations and specific state legislation in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are also included. (MDM)