This research synthesis is the third in a series of reports to help local school, community, and family leaders obtain useful research-based information about key educational issues. This synthesis addresses diversity as it relates to student achievement and school, family, and community connections. This synthesis focuses specifically on three categories: race or ethnicity, culture (including language), and socioeconomic status. The need to improve academic achievement among "diverse" student populations--notably African American, Latino, Native American, immigrant and language minority students, and students from poor families--is one of the most persistent and challenging issues that education faces. This research synthesis looks at the roles families can and do play in addressing that issue. The report also explores barriers to involvement for minority and low-income families, strategies that have been used to address those barriers, and recommendations that local educational leaders can adapt to address their specific needs. (Contains 3 tables and 9 footnotes.)[Contributors to this report include: Amy Averett, Joan Buttram, Deborah Donnelly, Catherine Jordan, Margaret Myers, Evangelina Orozco, and Lacy Wood.]