A survey by the National Parenting Association shows that parenthood has a stronger influence on parents' political opinions than other public interest categories like race, religion or gender. Although they're just starting to get noticed, parents may be emerging as a voting bloc that could decide this and future elections.

What is a parent involvement program? How can you help your child, and all children, achieve in school? What are the best questions to ask at a parent-teacher conference? The National Education Association offers tools you can use to help you get involved in your child's school.

The National PTA asked teachers from across the country to submit their best ideas for getting parents and families involved in their children's success—in school, but also at home and in the community.

This handbook from the National Priorities Project is designed to help concerned parents fight for a stronger federal role in financing school repairs and renovations. State fact sheets are available.

What's open up to 15 hours a day, six days a week, 52 weeks a year, and can combine all the best elements of a school, community center, public library and medical clinic? The answer is one of dozens of schools identified as Community Schools for Excellence in a new Ad Council campaign. Learn more about these innovative schools, and the Ad Council's efforts.

Remember back in school, how your heart raced and your stomach turned inside-out when you had to walk past a group of taunting peers, or find a seat in the bus without attracting the attention of a bully? In our monthly column, Julee Newberger says adults need to play an active role in helping kids learn kindness.

In the ongoing anguished debate over the quality of public education today, one of many ideas that have come to light is that if we paid teachers more, we would get better teachers. But that's not how teachers see it, as a report from Public Agenda makes clear. Susan Phillips writes that "A Sense of Calling: Who Teaches and Why," is a useful reminder that money is never more than part of the answer when it comes to improving schools.

Music can have a powerful impact on children—some studies show that math, verbal and spatial IQ abilities benefit from exposure to music. But more than that, music helps children learn to express themselves and their emotions. In our monthly column, Nick Geisinger explores the mystery and value of music.

"The principal's office." In childhood, those three words alone could make your palms sweat and your heart race. But for parents and others concerned with improving schools, principals can be among our best allies. So get over your fears: this weekend, the National Principals' Hotline is giving adults and students a chance to talk with elementary school principals. Connect for Kids can help you get prepared.

Explore this American Library Association site as a family. Or, take a free online course on the Internet, including history, terms, and ideas for learning together with children—all you need is a basic understanding of e-mail.