"We saw tremendous potential in Marc Brown's popular Arthur stories," says executive producer Carol Greenwald. "We take a kid's-eye view to address real issues in children's lives, from dealing with a new teacher to asthma and dyslexia." Arthur's Web site picks up where the show leaves off, encouraging kids to post a poem or try a word game.

The Zoom Web site, like the TV broadcast, invites kids to "c'mon and Zoom!," and more than 2 million have sent in experiments, book reviews, or jokes. "We take an active approach to learning, with an emphasis on language arts, science, and math," says executive producer Kate Taylor. "This isn't TV that kids watch passively: we tell them to get up and do something. And they do." "Zoom into Action" segments showcase kids singing in nursing homes, helping out in animal shelters, or otherwise volunteering in their communities. And PBS stations are creating a grassroots groundswell in their own backyards, producing and airing foot-age of local kids giving of their time.

Between the Lions has a concrete goal, too: helping children learn to read. Research shows that the series and Web site, co-produced with Sirius Thinking, Ltd., are hitting their target. "Rave reviews and awards are great," says executive producer Judy Stoia, "but we're most excited about studies showing that young viewers dramatically improve their early reading skills." Two Mississippi communities struggling with low reading scores are participating in a pilot project to use Between the Lions intensively in schools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs. "If this works in Mississippi," says project director Beth Kirsch, "it can be replicated in other low-literacy communities."

Programs for those who care about kids are as central to WGBH as programs for children. Eye on Education -- a collaboration with The Boston Globe, WILD 1090AM, and El Mundo -- will continue to explore the impact of educational reform and high-stakes testing on Boston public school teachers, students, and families. "We're tackling the issue from all angles," says Denise DiIanni, head of WGBH's local productions unit. "This spring, our efforts will culminate in a week of radio, print, Web, and TV specials, including an hour-long Day in the Life filmed at Dorchester's Jeremiah E. Burke High School."

Misunderstood Minds also will premiere this spring, examining learning problems and their impact on children, families, and society. The PBS program, Web site, and video library will offer methods for successfully managing this challenge that affects one in every five American children.

Television and the Web have the power to shape young people's lives. WGBH is seizing that power to bring information-rich resources to families across the country.