Explore our programs — offering exceptional academic preparation, opportunities for growth, and the tools to make an impact.
Find everything you need to apply for and finance your graduate education.
Stories, strategies, and actionable knowledge — putting HGSE's powerful ideas into practice.
With deep expertise that connects research, practice, and policy, HGSE faculty are leaders in the field.
Get to know our community — and all the ways to learn, collaborate, connect, develop your career, and build your network.
Faculty-led programs to deepen your impact and build your effectiveness as an educator and leader.
Access the premiere education subject library for Harvard University.
Access the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, Career Services, and other key resources.
Explore opportunities to grow, build connections, and create change.
Professional Development
Priority Application Deadline: May 8, 2024Thank you for your interest in Family Engagement in Education. We’re excited to share that while our program has reached maximum capacity, we are still accepting applications. Accepted teams will secure a place on our waitlist, and waitlisted teams will be notified promptly if seats become available. Your patience and understanding during this time are deeply appreciated.
Please note that Family Engagement in Education is only accepting team applications of at least three or more members.
“Parent participation is the leading predictor that supports students’ academic success, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or cultural background.” Karen Mapp, Faculty Chair
“Parent participation is the leading predictor that supports students’ academic success, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or cultural background.”
Karen Mapp, Faculty Chair
Family engagement plays a critical role in student achievement. While most educators recognize the importance of family engagement, they need opportunities to develop particular skills, knowledge, and mindsets to effectively integrate families into the life of the school.
Family Engagement in Education prepares you to create a school culture that honors and respects the knowledge that families bring to the learning process. With guidance from Harvard faculty and district and community leaders, you’ll explore best practices in family engagement and identify engagement strategies you can use to promote student learning and improve educational outcomes.
Held on Harvard’s Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, this four-day institute convenes educators and school leaders from around the world. Working alongside your colleagues, you’ll analyze research on family engagement and learn how to align family engagement initiatives with standards-based reform. You’ll participate in plenary sessions and small working groups where you can dig deeper into topics relevant to your interests or community. Topics discussed in past institutes include home visits, outreach to fathers, balancing privilege and power, race in family engagement, and finding sustainable funding for family engagement.
Karen Mapp's research and practice focus is on the cultivation of partnerships among families, community members, and educators that support student achievement and school improvement.
This program only accepts teams. First-time applicants need to create a Professional Education account to apply.
Step 1: Designate one participant or an administrative staff member as the Coordinator.
Step 2: Upon the submission of the team application, all team members will receive an email notification with a link to their personal application form. Team members should complete their forms promptly. Once all team members submit their forms, the application is considered complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee.
Invoices: Invoices will only be available upon your acceptance.
"People are really starting to understand the power of family engagement and embedding it in our work as it relates to academic achievment and success."
Cierra S., Fayette County Public Schools, Lexington, KY
"For engagement to really work in our schools, we have to have that type of relationship between school and home that we can be comfortable and vulnerable so that the system that it's designed to build can actually work."
Matthew C., Region 16 Education Service Center, Amarillo, TX