This research synthesis examines key issues in the field of family and community connections with schools. These issues represent critical areas of work where clarification, agreement, and further development are needed, as well as promising new directions that are emerging. After reviewing and examining more than 160 publications, four key issues emerged: that the concept of family and community connections with schools needs to be clarified, that outcomes of family and community connections with schools need to be measured in a consistent way, that the research base for family and community connections with schools needs to be advanced, and that critical areas for research in this field still exist. These critical areas include forging connections with families from culturally diverse backgrounds; connecting families with schools in homework help; connecting school, family, and community for effective school reform; connecting them through developmental approaches and integrated service delivery; connecting them to support student transitions throughout the education system; and developing process-based approaches to make connections. In addressing the issues highlighted in this document, these school, family, and community connections will be better understood and needed knowledge will be created to realize their potential for student learning and students' lives. (Contains 131 references.) (RT)