Putting communities, students, and families at the center of decision-making.

For families and caregivers

CEI exists to make sure your voice is heard. Your experiences matter and can help improve decisions about your child’s education. When families and schools work together, students do better.

Your voice matters

You know your child best. You see what is working and what needs to change. CEI creates safe spaces where families can share ideas, ask questions, and help guide school decisions.

The family and caregiver experience

• Build skills to support and speak up for your child
• Connect with other families across California
• Learn how education systems and decisions work
• Partner with educators and leaders to strengthen schools

Partnership in action

Strong schools are built on trust between families and educators. When we work together with shared goals, students do better. CEI helps families and schools build that trust and take action that makes a difference.

For community partners

CEI helps you hold your local schools and school districts accountable. The goals of community partners and of schools and school districts are often aligned and represent opportunities for robust partnerships that support students.

Partnerships matter

Libraries, small businesses, youth organizations, and local groups play a vital role in supporting students beyond the classroom. Your programs, mentorship, and resources help create safe, enriching environments where young people can learn and grow. CEI values the role you play in strengthening the broader ecosystem around schools.

CEI for community partners

• Join school, district, student, and family leaders as equal partners
• Work together to solve challenges facing students and families
• Take part in shared learning and decision-making spaces
• Align your organization’s work with local education goals
• Turn community insight into action that supports student success

Stronger communities, stronger schools

When schools and local partners work together, students benefit from a more connected and supportive network. CEI helps foster partnerships that align community strengths with educational goals to create lasting impact for students and families.

For LEA and COE leaders

Local education agencies and county offices of education are where engagement becomes real. CEI provides practical tools and frameworks for local leaders.

Community engagement from the bottom up

CEI helps you build strong community engagement systems in partnership with those you serve. Through a continuous improvement approach, CEI supports decision-making that leads to sustainable, long-term success.

Built for success

CEI is intended to strengthen your LEA’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and process. We accomplish this by giving you:
• Actionable protocols and strategies to help accomplish your local goals
• Mentorship by teams who have been through this work before
• Dedicated time and space to accomplish this work hand-in-hand with your students, families, and community partners

For system partners

Technical assistance providers, research organizations, and advocacy groups play a vital role in supporting CEI. Here’s how partners can contribute.

Technical assistance

Support districts in designing and implementing effective community engagement strategies aligned with CEI principles.

Research and evaluation

Document what works, share learning across contexts, and help build the evidence base for community engagement.

Advocacy and policy

Champion policies and funding that support authentic community engagement at local, state, and federal levels.

For state leaders

State education agencies play a critical role in setting policy direction and allocating resources. CEI helps state leaders build systems that authentically engage communities.

Policy integration

Embed community engagement requirements into state plans, accountability systems, and funding formulas.

Capacity building

Access training, technical assistance, and peer learning networks to support local implementation.

Measurement and learning

Use data and evidence to track progress and continuously improve engagement practices statewide.