ONE METHOD OF ATTEMPTING TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF ECONOMICALLY OR CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS IS THROUGH A COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAM UTILIZING COMMUNITY AIDES TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOOL AND AVAILABLE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, TO INFORM THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND TO SUGGEST MEANS BY WHICH SUCH NEEDS MAY BE MET. THE 4 PHASES IN THE EVOLUTION OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY AIDE PROGRAM ARE (1) IDENTIFICATION OF FAMILIES IN NEED OF COMMUNITY AIDE SERVICES, (2) HOME CONTACTS, (3) PARENT MEETINGS, AND (4) INDEPENDENT PARENT PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS. A COMMUNITY LIAISON PROGRAM PROVIDES GREATEST BENEFITS TO FAMILIES THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY AND/OR LINGUISTICALLY DISADVANTAGED. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES MUST BE DEVISED AND IMPLEMENTED WITH AN AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS. PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES ARE ONE MEANS OF ENCOURAGING PARENT-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION. (DA)