Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships

Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships is a publication of SEDL in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education. It presents a new framework for designing family engagement initiatives that build capacity among educators and families to partner with one another around student success. Based in existing research and best practices, this report is designed to act as a scaffold for the development of family engagement strategies, policies, and programs.

View website

The Dual Capacity-Building Framework

The Dual Capacity-Building Framework (See figure) should be seen as a compass, laying out the goals and conditions necessary to chart a path toward effective family engagement efforts that are linked to student achievement and school improvement. It was formulated using the research on effective family engagement and home–school partnership strategies and practices, adult learning and motivation, and leadership development. The Dual Capacity-Building Framework components include: 

1. a description of the capacity challenges that must be addressed to support the cultivation of effective home–school partnerships;
2. an articulation of the conditions integral to the success of family–school partnership initiatives and interventions;
3. an identification of the desired intermediate capacity goals that should be the focus of family engagement policies and programs at the federal, state, and local level; and
4. a description of the capacity-building outcomes for school and program staff as well as for families.