Community engagement that supports school improvement received national attention today with the recognition of 31 organizations as Together for Tomorrow (TFT) Challenge winners for the 2012-2013 school year.

While "Won't Back Down," showing in movie theaters nationwide, is Hollywood's fictionalized treatment of a parent-trigger law, a documentary called "Parent Power" focuses on parent organizing in New York City and has been making the rounds in more than 50 cities.

Parents who want their children to succeed in school have more influence over that outcome than the schools themselves, says a study by researchers from three universities.

A new Education Week Spotlight covers the issues of parent empowerment and school choice. It is available for free download.

A class action lawsuit in Idaho seeks to stop school districts from charging fees, while another such lawsuit in California is dismissed by the American Civil Liberties Union because a recent law was enacted addressing the practice.

The push is on to explain the Common Core State Standards to the core people in most students' lives—their parents.

To successfully reform struggling schools, policy makers need to involve community members in the solution—and that is rarely done, according to a report released today.

An analysis published in Educational Policy looks at what happens when parents and activists take on a new role of monitoring the changes they initiated from outside.

A lawsuit filed by the non-profit National Parent Teacher Association against the for-profit parent of PTO Today sheds light on an ongoing conflict between the two entities, with the PTA alleging trademark infringement, false advertising, deceptive trade practices, and other claims.

The Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) in Virginia recently rolled out a new "Give Me Five" program that is already producing results in terms of parent involvement—and local publicity.