This guide is designed to help school district leaders build public understanding and support for comprehensive school reform (CSR) by introducing the concept to schools, parents, and the community. Without broad-based public understanding and support, it will be difficult for the district to meet its central goal of improving student achievement. The guide can be used to describe the basics of the New American Schools approach to CSR and how it differs from the ad hoc, piecemeal reform attempts that the school district might have tried before. It can be used to answer questions about why a CSR effort is needed. Additionally, it can help assemble a district leadership team to help schools learn more about the NAS models; make the case for CSR to the community; and identify and engage key stakeholders and work with the community to build long-term, community-based support for CSR. The guide was developed from school district and community leaders who have been through the process before. It can help the user to communicate effectively the path and progress of CSR to multiple stakeholders in the community. (Contains 15 references.) (DFR)