This book presents 11 case studies that demonstrate successful efforts to improve education through building new relationships between schools and communities. In addition to presenting the case studies, the book also contains an introductory chapter that discusses the potentials and pitfalls of local efforts at participatory democracy, as well as a final chapter that summarizes theoretical and practical lessons drawn from the case studies and from the experience of the Institute for Responsive Education. The individual chapters include the following: "Introduction"; "Pluralism Goes Public: How Lagunitas, California Did It"; "Parents and a Dream School"; "Fight for Community Schools in West Virginia"; "Learning in Louisville Is a Two-Way Street"; "Parents Plus Principal: Key to Successful Desegregation in Boston"; "School Community Advisory Councils: Los Angeles' Road Toward Citizen Involvement"; "The Lion and the Cricket: The Making of Militants in Crystal City, Texas"; "Indian Parents Strive for Community Control: The Story of Three Indian Schools"; "The Milwaukee Federation of Independent Schools"; "Alternatives in Public Schools: Minneapolis Experiment"; "Citizens Act to Change Schools"; and "Perspectives and Future Directions." (JG)