From Classroom to Community: A Commentary on Preparing Educators for Family and Community Engagement

Abstract

Preparing educators to engage families and communities is one of the most promising ways to improve student learning and build equitable schools. In this commentary, authors from the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement explore the landscape of educator preparation for family and community engagement and describe a framework created to reimagine how educators are prepared for this important work. The commentary also highlights outcomes and promising practices from nine collaboratives of educator preparation programs and family, school, and community partners redesigning coursework, clinical experiences, programs, and systems to bring families and communities to the center of the educator preparation process.