Teachers' Guides to Inclusive Practices

Collaborative Teaming, Second Edition
By Martha E. Snell, Ph.D., and Rachel Janney, Ph.D.

Collaborative teaming is the glue that holds an inclusive school together, but most teachers don't get the training they need to put this critical process to work. Schools can fulfill that need with the new edition of this book, an easy-to-use guide to forming effective collaborative teams that help stimulate students' academic progress and social behavior in general education.  Educators will learn how to

• select team members (educators, parents, counselors, SLPs, paraprofessionals, and others)
  
  
• define the team's purpose and focus
  
  
• schedule and preserve time for teaming, and
  
  
• facilitate smooth communication during team meetings

Teachers will also get new and expanded information to help them

• identify problems, decide on solutions, and create action plans
  
  
• work cooperatively with family members and paraprofessionals
  
  
• co-teach with other professionals
  
  
• avoid or resolve conflict

Filled with vignettes that show the strategies and suggestions in action, this guidebook will increase teacher motivation for collaborative teaming, bring about better decisions and outcomes, and facilitate the active involvement and learning of all students.

1. Overview of Collaborative Teaming
   
   Purpose of This Book
   Inclusive Education
   Collaborative Teaming
   Delivering Special Education Support
   Team Members
   Team Interactions
   Components of Collaborative Teamwork
   Benefits and Challenges of Collaborative Teaming
   
   
2. Building Team Structure
   
   Administrative Leadership and Negative Staff Attitudes
   Phases of Policy Development and Administrative Support for Teams
   Define Team Purpose and Focus
   Establish Team Membership
   Time Needed for Teams to Meet
   Finding the Time to Plan
   Support Teams and Teamwork
   
   
3. Learning Teamwork Skills
   
   Listening and Interacting Well
   Establishing Shared Values
   Defining Roles and Responsibilities
   Establishing a Team Meeting Process and Schedule
   Preparing for and Conducting Team Meetings
   Giving and Receiving Information
   Making Decisions by Consensus
   Teaming Effectively On-the-Fly
   Reflecting on the Team Process
   
   
4. Problem-Solving and Action Planning
   
   Problem-Solving Methods
   Step 1: Identify the Problem
   Step 2: Brainstorm Possible Solutions
   Step 3: Evaluate the Possible Solutions
   Step 4: Choose a Solution
   Step 5: Write an Action Plan
   Step 6: Evaluate the Plan and Make Needed Changes
   Problem-Solving Approaches Used by Adult Teams
   Simpler Problem-Solving Approaches Used by Peers
   Common Problem-Solving Issues
   Revising Team Action Plans
   
   
5. Coordinating Team Action
   
   Organizing Support Options with Staff Schedules and Training
   Organizing Paperwork
   Coordinating Across Team Members
   
   
6. Teaching Collaboratively
   
   Rationale for Cooperative Teaching
   Benefits of Co-Teaching
   Collaborative Teaching Approaches
   Planning at the School Level
   Role Exchange Strategy
   Complementary Instruction
   Supportive Learning Activities
   Variations for Teaming Across Grade Levels
   Planning Between Collaborative Teachers
   Evaluating Outcomes
   
   
7. Improving Communication and Handling Conflict
   
   Establishing Team Trust
   Promoting Accurate and Unambiguous Communication
   Being Sensitive to Diversity and Avoiding Stereotyping
   Fostering Positive Staff Family Interactions
   Addressing Disagreement
   Resolving Conflict Constructively
   Conclusion
   

Issue-Action Planning Form
Collaborative Team Meeting Worksheet
SAM Problem-Solving Form