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  2. EDU A122A

Family and Community Engagement in Education: Partnerships for Whole-School Improvement
EDU A122A

Course Information

Description

This intensive, week-long J-term course brings together graduate students and education practitioners for a collaborative exploration of the evolving role of schools, families, and communities as partners in meaningful educational change. Together we will explore questions such as: Why are partnerships among schools, families, and communities now considered essential for whole-school improvement? How are effective partnerships developed and sustained? What strategies, frameworks, and practices best support lasting collaboration and improved student outcomes?
Unique to this combined offering will be a dynamic exchange of perspectives between HGSE graduate students and practicing educators—professionals who will be coming to HGSE for a week of learning to address pressing dilemmas and opportunities in their schools and districts. Throughout the week, students will examine and challenge their own beliefs about family and community roles in education; analyze case studies and current research on the impact of partnerships; engage with panels of experts and practitioners on promising practices and insights from the field; and collaborate in interactive discussions, small-group activities, and real-world projects. For the final paper, students will have the opportunity to propose a family engagement initiative using the learning from the course.   
Students who complete the J-term course will have the option to enroll in a Spring 1 field experience module where they will work in teams on a family engagement deliverable for an educational organization.

Class Notes

Course enrollment is by application. To apply, complete the application on the Canvas course home page. The application deadline is 5:00PM ET on Monday Nov. 17th  and students will be notified of acceptance by Friday Nov. 21st. Course will end at 2:30pm on Friday, January 9th, 2026. Please note that students may add, drop, or change the grading basis for J-Term courses in My.Harvard until January 5th. Beginning January 6th, students who wish to drop a J-Term course and have the DRP removed from their transcript must email registrar@gse.harvard.edu. This request must be submitted before 8:30am on 1/6/2026. 

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 2
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Student Option (Letter Graded, Sat/Unsat)
Learning Goals <p>Students will learn about the role the family and community plays in the educational development (social, emotional, cognitive) of children. In addition, they will interrogate the various arguments, theories, and frameworks about what can or should be done to enhance, or in some cases diminish, the engagement of families and community.</p>
Career Focus The course is essential for any role that directly or indirectly engages families in the development and well-being of children.