School systems have long recognized the need for public support and participation, but now many districts are renewing their commitment to strengthen the ties with their communities. To build community support for schools that facilitates student achievement, school boards are developing communication strategies that routinely reach diverse community groups. This process is called public engagement. This digest examines how public engagement can foster student achievement, how school boards and administrators can facilitate the public-engagement process, and how school leaders can solicit enduring support from stakeholders. Public engagement can promote student achievement through the collaboration of supportive parents. It can also help the entire community by identifying social and health factors that interfere with learning, such as teen pregnancy, inadequate nutrition, and lack of health care. School boards and principals are in position to play key roles in involving families with their children's academic activities in meeting educational standards. Involved families can also effectively advocate for schools with the general public. Five methods that help school boards and administrators engage the public are focus groups, telephone polling, public meetings, e-mail, and study circles. (Contains 11 references.) (RT)