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The Dual Capacity-Building Framework explains why the Six Slices work. The Six Slices show how to apply that framework in real schools, every day.
Dual Capacity-Building Framework
How the Six Slices Standards Align With the Dual Capacity-Building Framework
The Six Standards operationalize the Dual Capacity-Building Framework by translating research into daily practice. The Six Standards show how to apply that framework in real schools, every day. The Dual Capacity-Building Framework (See figure below) 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. Each standard builds the 4 Cs—Capabilities, Connections, Cognition, and Confidence—under the essential process and organizational conditions needed for effective partnership.
Dual Capacity-Building Framework
Standard 1: Welcome All Families
Framework Alignment
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Process Conditions
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Relational
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Asset-based
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Culturally responsive
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Capacity Built
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Families: Confidence, Connections
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Educators: Cognition (belief shifts), Capabilities
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What This Looks Like
Welcoming environments signal respect and belonging. Families begin to see themselves as valued partners, while educators move away from deficit mindsets toward trust-based relationships.
Standard 2: Communicate Effectively
Framework Alignment
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Process Conditions
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Interactive
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Collaborative
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Linked to learning
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Capacity Built
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Families: Capabilities, Confidence
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Educators: Capabilities, Connections
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What This Looks Like
Communication becomes two-way and meaningful, helping families understand learning expectations and empowering educators to listen, respond, and adjust practice.
Standard 3: Support Student Success
Framework Alignment
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Process Conditions
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Linked to learning and development
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Asset-based
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Capacity Built
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Families: Capabilities, Cognition
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Educators: Capabilities, Confidence
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What This Looks Like
Families and educators align around learning goals. Parents are equipped to support learning at home, and educators recognize families as essential contributors to student success.
Standard 5: Share Power
Framework Alignment
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Process Conditions
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Collaborative
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Asset-based
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Organizational Conditions
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Integrated
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Systemic
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Capacity Built
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Families: Confidence, Connections
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Educators: Cognition, Capabilities
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What This Looks Like
Decision-making is shared. Families are co-creators of policies and practices, and educators embrace partnership as a core professional responsibility.
Standard 6: Collaborate With the Community
Framework Alignment
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Organizational Conditions
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Integrated
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Sustained
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Process Conditions
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Collaborative
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Capacity Built
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Families: Connections, Confidence
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Educators: Connections, Capabilities
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What This Looks Like
Schools, families, and community partners work together to support students holistically, expanding networks and resources that strengthen learning and well-being.
Research Behind the Program:
1 Hill, Wise, Shapiro, "Educational Progress: Cities Mobilize to Improve Their Schools," Rand Corporation, 1989: More details on this can be found at Rand Corporation's page.
2 Epstein, Joyce L., "School and Family Partnerships," Report No. 6, Center on Families, Communities, Schools, and Children's Learning; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 1992: Access this report through ERIC at https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED343715.
3 "Prospects Study: Promising Results, Continuing Challenges: The Final Report of the National Assessment of Title I," 1999: Information is available through the U.S. Department of Education at https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/disadv/title1-final/index.html.
4 Weiss, Lopez, & Rosenberg, "Beyond Random Acts: Family, School, and Community Engagement as an Integral Part of Education Reform," 2010: Find the full text at Harvard Family Research Project's page.
5 Mapp, K.L. and Kuttner, P.J. (2013) Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) and U.S. Department of Education. Available at: https://sedl.org/pubs/framework/FE-Cap-Building.pdf (Accessed: 20 January 2026).
