This month, readers wrote in about how schools can better help kids in special education and how parents can help kids be safer in cars. Take a look at Connect for Kids' reader mail and add your two cents!

The United Press International reports on research indicating that middle-class kids may experience difficulty as they hit seventh grade-including increased anxiety, depression and beginning substance abuse. Researchers cite two possible causes: increased academic pressures and feeling isolated from parents.

As the school year gets underway, National Education Association President Reg Weaver reflects on how parents and teachers can build on their shared commitment to each child's school success.

The Science on Our Minds Series is a collection of short research-focused fact sheets on topics including, "Teenage Brain: A Work in Progress" and "Unraveling Autism."

Find out what resources are available to parents, teachers, administrators and communities to provide kids with the tools to be successful in school. Our Education Topic Page describes what efforts are being made to help kids, such as keeping them safe and ensuring that they are technologically savvy for the 21st century.

PEN works to create systems of public education that result in high achievement for every child. They believe that improving public school systems is the responsibility of parents, individual citizens and whole communities.

The National PTA explores in this article the purpose of homework, why it is important and how adults can get involved to motivate children to successfully do their homework.

Many parents want to be involved in the education of their children. Sometimes, however, they don't know where to start, when to find the time, or how to go about making positive connections with the school. This Web site addresses the concerns of parents and provides resources to help them get involved.

In order for schools to encourage parental involvement they first should assess their present practices. Then, according to projectappleseed.org, schools should implement the "Six Standards for Parental Involvement," including recruiting parents and adults as volunteers and improving parent—teacher communication.

Ninety-seven percent of high school students surveyed in a 2001 study admitted to at least one questionable practice when it comes to academic integrity; like copying homework, plagiarism or submitting papers obtained from a term paper mill or Web site. The national PTA has practical strategies for parents to nurture integrity in schoolwork.