This document describes four states' approaches to increasing the involvement of families in schools. It discusses the strategies used by the states to: (1) enhance teachers' capacity to work with families; (2) encourage local school districts to develop family involvement programs; (3) encourage efforts that use family involvement as a component of school improvement; (4) make family involvement a component of high quality education; and (5) encourage families to make decisions that affect the quality of education programs. For the state of Alabama, a state parent involvement plan, a performance-based school accreditation system, community education programs, and local parent involvement initiatives are discussed. California's state policy which endorses six different types of parent involvement is described, and the activities undertaken to implement the policy are explained. Local parent involvement programs are also considered. Florida's legal framework for ensuring family participation in schools, and several state strategies and initiatives to promote family involvement, are examined. Minnesota's attempts at school reform, educational options, community education programs, parent involvement legislation, and local parent advocacy efforts are described. A 13-item reference list is included. A state contact is provided for each state. (BC)