This paper focuses on four participants in the public schools: parents, students, teachers, and administrators. These parties make up the key school community. This discussion highlights the rights and responsibilities of each of these major groups, especially in the curriculum, budget, and personnel areas of educational organization. In order to provide perspective, the discussion begins with the broader relationship of the school to the public community. This broad framework also emphasizes the emerging roles of the four participants as they deal with the dramatic changes that have taken place in society and that impinge on the school. After an extensive discussion of the problems associated with public participation in the schools, the subject changes to the solutions that are possible. Emphasis is placed on educational alternatives that allow the key participants to be involved in the governance of the schools and that allow each parent, each student, and each teacher to choose the type of educational environment to which he or she is attracted. In this way each participant controls his choice; no type of education is imposed on anyone. (Author/IRT)