Family Engagement in Education: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework from edX

The Covid-19 pandemic changed the education landscape quickly and permanently. Once bustling school yards and extracurricular activities were shut down and schools abruptly shifted to an online- or hybrid-learning format. This impacted students, teachers, and families, and allowed important new research to be conducted on these core groups. In the years since the launch of Introduction to Family Engagement in Education, Harvard University faculty Karen L. Mapp has used her expertise in the field alongside new research conducted during the pandemic to inform fundamental changes to the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which was previously developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education.

In this course, Mapp will lead you through the framework, providing real-world scenarios and case studies from experts in the field—helping you not only understand how the framework is structured, but also how to apply it directly in your engagements with partners like parents, guardians, educators, community leaders, and policymakers.

With the Dual Capacity-Building Framework as your guide, you will explore each component of the framework in-depth—identifying key personas and conditions that impact outcomes, and learning how to influence change to drive better educational environments and student learning successes. The course and framework emphasize accountability and respect, providing the skills and resources to develop meaningful, authentic, and trusting relationships between families and schools. By creating a shared language and knowledge of the pillars to effective partnerships, both students and schools will benefit in the long-term.

Additionally, the course explores inequalities in education, such as income, race, and access, bringing to light the importance of developing deeper connections and growing the confidence of educators and family members to support students in marginalized populations and areas where education is key to student’s social development and success.

Join your peers to share stories and cases that reflect your own communities—building a toolkit that helps foster student success, encourages unity and harmony across communities, and creates more inclusive and supportive educational policies and programs.

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Learning objectives

By the end of this course, you will:
Understand the importance of the family-educator-community partnership as a key to student success.
Explore the dual capacity-building framework, focusing on incorporating the takeaways into your school system and community to support student learning in school and in the home.

Seek to understand socioeconomic factors and the impact that has on student outcomes, including families with language barriers, educational trauma, and cultural differences.
Know how to develop shared accountability between educators and families by creating connecting and welcoming practices.
Utilize real-world examples and in-field research and experiences to design more inclusive policies and programs to engage families and students.

By the end of this course, you will:
Understand the importance of the family-educator-community partnership as a key to student success.
Explore the dual capacity-building framework, focusing on incorporating the takeaways into your school system and community to support student learning in school and in the home.
Seek to understand socioeconomic factors and the impact that has on student outcomes, including families with language barriers, educational trauma, and cultural differences.
Know how to develop shared accountability between educators and families by creating connecting and welcoming practices.
Utilize real-world examples and in-field research and experiences to design more inclusive policies and programs to engage families and students.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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Provides real-world scenarios and case studies from experts, helping learners understand how the framework is structured and how to apply it directly in engagements with partners

Explores inequalities in education, such as income, race, and access, bringing to light the importance of developing deeper connections and growing the confidence of educators and family members

Developed in partnership with the U.S Department of Education, which may lend credibility to the framework and its potential impact on educational policy and practice

Requires learners to understand socioeconomic factors and the impact that has on student outcomes, including families with language barriers, educational trauma, and cultural differences

Presented by Harvard University faculty Karen L. Mapp, who has expertise in the field, which may lend credibility to the framework and its potential impact on educational policy and practice

Reviews summary

Dual capacity-building framework for education

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation and clear understanding of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework. Students particularly appreciate how the course helps them build capacity for meaningful family and community engagement in education. The course is seen as highly relevant to current challenges, especially in addressing inequalities. While the framework itself is foundational, many found the real-world scenarios and practical application aspects valuable, though a few noted a desire for more hands-on tools. The instructor's expertise is frequently highlighted as a major strength.

Karen Mapp's insights are invaluable.

"Karen Mapp's expertise is evident throughout the course; her insights are invaluable."

"The instructor is clearly a leader in the field and shares knowledge effectively."

"Hearing directly from Karen Mapp on the framework was incredibly impactful."

"Her experience and passion made the topics engaging and understandable."

Strong focus on equity and inclusion.

"Appreciated the emphasis on equity and addressing disparities in family engagement."

"The course thoughtfully addresses socioeconomic factors and cultural differences..."

"It provided valuable insights into engaging marginalized families and promoting inclusion."

"The focus on equity felt timely and essential for effective practice."

Highly relevant for professional practice.

"Learned practical strategies that I could immediately apply in my role working with families and schools."

"The content was highly relevant to my work as an educator and provided concrete examples."

"It directly applies to improving our school's engagement strategies and building stronger partnerships."

"Found the concepts highly applicable to my daily work and interactions."

Provides a clear, practical understanding.

"This course provided a clear understanding of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework and how it can be applied..."

"It helped me understand the Dual Capacity-Building Framework deeply and how crucial it is for student success."

"I gained a solid foundation in the framework and its components, which was exactly what I needed."

"The structure of the course makes the framework easy to grasp and implement."

Some desire more hands-on tools.

"While the framework is solid, I was hoping for more hands-on tools and templates to use immediately."

"Felt slightly more theoretical than expected; could benefit from more concrete implementation guides."

"Needed to supplement with additional resources for practical application in my specific context."

"Good overview, but less practical 'how-to' than anticipated by some."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Family Engagement in Education: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework with these activities:

Review Educational Psychology Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing key concepts from educational psychology.

Browse courses on Educational Psychology

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Review notes from previous educational psychology courses.
Read articles or book chapters on relevant topics.
Take practice quizzes to assess your understanding.

Compile Resources on Socioeconomic Factors

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Deepen your understanding of the impact of socioeconomic factors on student outcomes by compiling relevant resources.

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Research articles, reports, and websites on socioeconomic factors.
Gather resources related to income, race, and access to education.
Organize the resources into a coherent compilation.
Write a summary of the key findings and implications.

Read 'A Framework for Family Engagement'

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Deepen your understanding of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework by reading the foundational text.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'A Framework for Family Engagement'.
Read the book, focusing on chapters relevant to the course modules.
Take notes on key concepts and implementation strategies.
Reflect on how the framework can be applied in your own context.

Four other activities

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Review 'Partners in Education'

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Explore the practical applications of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework through real-world examples and case studies.

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Obtain a copy of 'Partners in Education'.
Read the book, focusing on chapters relevant to your interests.
Identify strategies that resonate with your context.
Consider how you can implement these strategies in your work.

Volunteer at a Local School or Community Organization

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Gain practical experience in family engagement by volunteering at a local school or community organization.

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Identify local schools or organizations that work with families.
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer your time to support family engagement initiatives.
Reflect on your experiences and how they relate to the course.

Develop a Family Engagement Plan

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Apply the Dual Capacity-Building Framework by creating a practical plan for family engagement in a specific setting.

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Identify a specific school or community context.
Assess the current state of family engagement in that context.
Develop a plan based on the Dual Capacity-Building Framework.
Outline specific activities and strategies.
Present the plan to stakeholders for feedback.

Design a Workshop for Educators and Families

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Apply your knowledge by designing a workshop that promotes shared accountability between educators and families.

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Identify a specific topic related to family engagement.
Develop learning objectives for the workshop.
Create engaging activities and materials.
Plan for interactive discussions and Q&A sessions.
Gather feedback on the workshop design.

Career center

Learners who complete Family Engagement in Education: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Family Engagement Specialist

A Family Engagement Specialist works to build strong relationships between families, schools, and communities, facilitating student success. This course directly addresses the core principles essential to this role through its focus on the Dual Capacity-Building Framework. Learning to apply the framework, as this course teaches, allows the specialist to directly help families and schools build trusting relationships, bridging any gaps that exist. The course stresses the importance of a partnership between families, educators, and the community, while developing skills necessary to design inclusive programs and policies. It provides a foundation for creating a shared language and knowledge that results in long term positive outcomes for educational environments and the students they serve.

See salaries and explore the career path for Family Engagement Specialist

Parent Liaison

A Parent Liaison serves as a bridge between parents and schools, helping to create effective communication and collaboration. In this course, the Dual Capacity-Building Framework is emphasized, providing a Parent Liaison with the resources and skills necessary to foster authentic and meaningful relationships between families and schools. The emphasis on accountability and respect, will help a Liaison enhance unity across the communities they serve. The course's focus on inclusive policies, and it's exploration of barriers like language and educational trauma, provides crucial context for a Parent Liaison to advocate for families, as well as create supportive educational environments.

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Education Advocate

An Education Advocate works to support students and families, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to succeed. This course, which delves into the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, provides a valuable foundation for any Education Advocate. An understanding of the framework allows an advocate to engage in effective communication and collaboration between families and schools. This course's emphasis on inequalities that affect students and families, like income, race, and access, gives an advocate critical context in which to better advocate for their students and families. This course's real-world examples allows an advocate to work for more inclusive and supportive educational policies.

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Community Outreach Coordinator

A Community Outreach Coordinator develops and manages programs that connect community members with resources and support. This course is helpful for a Community Outreach Coordinator, particularly in roles that focus on education. The course's emphasis on the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which provides a tool to improve family engagement, is directly relevant. A coordinator may use the techniques taught to build connections among home, school, and community. The course's examination of inequalities in education, with specific attention to how issues like income and language impact families, will allow a coordinator to make programs more inclusive and accessible.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Outreach Coordinator

Educational Consultant

An Educational Consultant works with schools and organizations to improve educational outcomes and programs. The Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which is the focus of this course, provides a strong foundation for an Educational Consultant. This course provides a deep understanding of the framework, which allows the consultant to help schools build meaningful and effective family-school partnerships. The course emphasizes techniques for creating shared accountability between educators and families, skills that a consultant can leverage to foster improved educational environments. The study of inequalities in education that the course provides will assist a consultant in identifying challenges and making recommendations to promote equitable opportunities.

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Nonprofit Program Coordinator

A Nonprofit Program Coordinator manages and implements programs for nonprofit organizations, often with a focus on community needs. With an emphasis on family engagement, this course will help a Nonprofit Program Coordinator whose work is education-focused. Understanding the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, as this course teaches, will allow the coordinator to build stronger partnerships between families and the programs that they serve. This course provides skills in creating welcoming and inclusive practices that are beneficial for all community members. By addressing inequalities in education, the coordinator can make sure programs are equitable and accessible.

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Family Services Specialist

A Family Services Specialist provides support and resources to families in need and connects families to services. This course, which introduces the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, may be useful for a Family Services Specialist. The course provides this role with a framework to help create more inclusive and supportive relationships between families, schools, and communities. The courses' study of real-world examples will help a specialist develop programs that will benefit families and their children. The emphasis on socioeconomic factors and educational trauma, and their impact on families, will help a Family Services Specialist better serve their clients.

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School Counselor

A School Counselor supports students and families by addressing any issues that may impede students' academic, social, and emotional growth. This course may be helpful for a School Counselor as the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which is taught in this course, provides valuable insights into ways to engage families. This course's focus on socioeconomic factors and the various challenges families face is particularly relevant. By taking this course, a School Counselor can learn ways to foster an environment of respect and shared accountability with families, which in turn may lead to more favorable outcomes for students.

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School Social Worker

A School Social Worker supports students and families by addressing challenges and removing barriers to academic success. This course may be useful for a School Social Worker, as it explores the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which is designed to foster strong relationships between families and schools. This course's focus on understanding the impact of socioeconomic factors, cultural differences, and educational trauma in marginalized communities aligns with the concerns of a School Social Worker. The skills learned will allow a social worker to more effectively serve students and families, building the sort of relationships that will positively impact academic outcomes and overall well-being.

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Teacher

A Teacher has an influential role in shaping the lives of their students. This course may be helpful for a Teacher as it emphasizes the importance of partnerships between families and educators, which is key to ensuring student success. The Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which is at the heart of this course, provides methods for building these meaningful partnerships between families and schools. The course focuses on the importance of creating a shared language and understanding, and how to develop welcoming practices that are essential for a Teacher to understand. The course's study of inequalities in education will help a Teacher create a more equitable and supportive learning environment.

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Youth Development Specialist

A Youth Development Specialist works to support youth through social and educational programs. This course, which emphasizes family engagement, may be helpful for a Youth Development Specialist, especially for those working in the education space. By studying the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, the Youth Development Specialist may be able to build more authentic relationships with youth and their families. The course's emphasis on creating shared accountability between educators and families is beneficial to the specialist. The study of real-world scenarios, and the impact of inequities in education on student outcomes, will help a specialist create effective and inclusive programs.

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Curriculum Developer

A Curriculum Developer designs educational materials and programs that are inclusive and effective. This course provides a framework for a Curriculum Developer to better understand how family engagement can positively impact student success. Learning about the Dual Capacity-Building Framework allows the developer to create curriculum that encourages active partnerships between families, schools, and communities. The course highlights the impact of socioeconomic factors and cultural differences on student outcomes, guiding curriculum developers to create more equitable and culturally sensitive learning resources. A developer who understands the importance of engagement can create learning experiences that build shared knowledge and support student learning both in school and at home.

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Education Program Manager

An Education Program Manager oversees and implements educational programs, ensuring they meet their goals and serve the needs of students and their families. This course may be useful to an Education Program Manager because it explores the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, which provides a model for effective family-school partnerships. The course emphasizes creating shared accountability between educators and families, which is key to the success of any educational program. A manager will find the course's exploration of inequalities in education helpful when working to make programs more equitable and accessible. The course provides real world case studies allowing the manager to think critically about program implementation.

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Educational Policy Analyst

An Educational Policy Analyst examines and evaluates educational policies, making recommendations for improvements. This course may be useful for an Educational Policy Analyst because it delves into the Dual Capacity Building Framework, which is at the forefront of fostering partnerships between families and schools. A policy analyst who understands this framework can create more effective and inclusive educational policies. The course's attention to the impact of socioeconomic factors and educational trauma on families and schools will be of particular relevance. The study of real-world cases and research provided by the course allows for the creation of policies that are evidence based.

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Educational Researcher

An Educational Researcher studies teaching and learning methods, often with the goal of improving educational outcomes and policies. This course may be useful for an Educational Researcher, as it provides insight into the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, a critical resource in building effective family-school partnerships. The course's emphasis on real-world case studies and field research provides a solid foundation for an education researcher. The exploration of inequalities in education will allow a researcher to identify factors that influence student learning and success. The knowledge gained in this course will help an educational researcher conduct more nuanced and relevant research.

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Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Family Engagement in Education: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework.

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, offering practical strategies and tools for implementation. It serves as an essential companion to the course, providing deeper insights into the framework's theoretical underpinnings and real-world applications. The book is widely used by educators and community leaders seeking to improve family engagement practices. It offers detailed case studies and examples that complement the course material, making it a valuable resource for both current reference and continued learning.

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Family Engagement in Education

The Dual Capacity-Building Framework

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Dual capacity-building framework for education

Activities

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