Refers to the intentional, ongoing collaboration between families, educators, schools, and communities to support student learning, development, well-being, and educational decision-making. Unlike traditional models of family involvement—often limited to participation in K-12 school events or receiving information—family engagement emphasizes reciprocal partnerships in which families are recognized as essential partners, co-creators, and assets in educational systems.

Family engagement encompasses a wide range of practices, including shared goal-setting for student learning, two-way communication between families and educators, participation in school governance and planning, culturally responsive collaboration, and alignment between home, school, and community learning environments. Research across K–12 and early childhood education demonstrates that meaningful family engagement is associated with improved academic outcomes, stronger student well-being, increased attendance, and enhanced trust between schools and communities.

The concept gained prominence in education policy and research in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as scholars and practitioners shifted away from deficit-oriented models of “parent involvement” toward partnership-based approaches recognizing families’ lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and leadership roles.

Recent global initiatives emphasize family-centered education systems, which position students, families, educators, and communities as collaborative partners in shaping educational visions and practices. Global initiatives are increasingly advancing family-centered education systems. For example, cross-national collaborations supported by the Brookings-led Center for Universal Education have tested partnership strategies across countries such as Brazil, Bangladesh, Colombia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Zanzibar, highlighting the importance of relational trust, educator preparation, and inclusive governance structures in meaningful family engagement.

Key elements commonly associated with effective family engagement include:

• Reciprocal communication and relationship-building
• Inclusive participation across diverse family backgrounds and languages
• Integration of family perspectives into policy and governance structures
• Educator training and institutional support for partnership-building
• Recognition of families as contributors to learning both inside and outside school settings

See: Morris, E., and Hoysala, R. (2026, February 10). Moving from family involvement to engagement in education.  About Us | Brookings