The resurgence of interest in parent involvement in education comes at a time when the traditional roles of both the school and the family are under great stress. The contemporary concept of parent involvement refers to parents initiating learning activities at home to improve their children's performance at school. Used most broadly, parent involvement includes all the ways in which home life socializes children for school. Underlying all definitions is the need for continuity between the home and the school. Poor and minority parents have complained that the schools are not run to benefit their children; educators complain that the parents of those students who tend to be the lowest achievers are so burdened by their own lives that they are of little help. Efforts must be made to decrease parent alienation and to strengthen the parent school relationship. Some analysts suggest that the home and the school must be supported by wider cooperative arrangements with community organizations. A four-page list of references is included. (FMW)