The most widely-used text on the topic of collaboration, Interactions is a guide for preprofessionals and professionals to help them understand and participate effectively in their interactions with other school professionals and parents. It addresses collaboration as a style, with accompanying knowledge and skills, that guides practices in many education efforts. Interactions provides a cutting-edge look at how teams of school professionals-- special educators, general educators and related services professionals--can effectively work together to provide a necessary range of services to students with special needs. As a result, future teachers learn how to collaborate with school professionals and families to help special education students who are more often being placed in general education settings.

Table of Contents

1 The Fundamentals of Collaboration Collaboration Concepts Definition Defining Characteristics for Collaboration Emergent Characteristics The Dilemmas of Collaboration Collaboration in a Contemporary Context Societal Trends School Collaboration Special Education Collaboration A Framework for Learning about Collaboration Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 2 Interpersonal Problem Solving A Context for Interpersonal Problem Solving Reactive and Proactive Problem Solving Deciding Whether to Problem Solve Steps in Interpersonal Problem Solving Identifying the Problem Generating Potential Solutions Evaluating Potential Solutions Selecting the Solution Implementing the Solution Evaluating the Outcome Putting the Problem-Solving Pieces Together Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 3. Teams Team Concepts Characteristics of Teams Developmental Stages for Teams Rationale for and Benefits of Teams Team Models Disciplinary Relationships on Teams Types of Student-Centered Teams Effectiveness of Teams The Team's Goals Are Clear Members' Needs Are Met Members Have Individual Accountability Group Processes Maintain the Team Team Members Have Leadership Skills Conducting Meetings Prior to the Meeting During the Meeting After the Meeting Collaboration and Teams S ummary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 4 Consultation Consultation Concepts Characteristics of Consultation Rationale for and Benefits of Consultation Consultation Models Behavioral Consultation Clinical Consultation Choosing and Using Consultation Models Consultation and Collaboration The Consulting Relationship Issues in Consultation as Collaborative Service Delivery Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 5 Co-Teaching Co-Teaching Concepts Defining Characteristics of Co-Teaching Rationale for Co-Teaching Co-Teaching Approaches One Teaching, One Observing Station Teaching Parallel Teaching Alternative Teaching Teaming One Teaching, One Assisting Co-Teaching and Collaboration The Co-Teaching Relationship Maintaining Collaborative Relationships in Co-Teaching Administrative and Pragmatic Matters Related to Co-Teaching Use of Planning Time Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 6 Paraeducators Paraeducators in Public Schools Paraeducator Qualifications The Prevalence of Paraeducators Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities Instructional Responsibilities Noninstructional Responsibilities Ethical Considerations Paraeducators Supplement Instruction Parent Communication and Input The Problem of Proximity Working with Paraeducators Training Paraeducators Planning with Paraeducators Assigning Responsibilities to Paraeducators Communicating with Paraeducators Supervising Paraeducators Paraeducators and Collaboration Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 7 Practical Matters Time for Planning Options for Creating Shared Planning Time Scheduling and Coordinating Services Establishing Schedules in a Collaborative School Coordinating Services for Collaboration Roles and Role Responsibilities School as a Professional Workplace Role Management Stress and Stress Management Dealing with Stress Professional Development Types of Professional Development Participant Involvement Design and Delivery Collaboration Embedded in Shared Improvement Planning Shared Leadership Leadership and Teacher Teams Parent Involvement Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 8 Families Understanding Families Family Systems Theory Family Life Cycles Cultural Influences Unique Factors and Barriers to Collaboration Facilitating Family Participation in Decision Making Providing Information to Families Assisting Families to Participate in Student-Centered Meetings Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 9 Interpersonal Communication The Process of Communication A Model of Communication Concepts Reflected in the Communication Process Communication Types Prerequisites to Effective Interactions Frame of Reference Communication Skills Listening Nonverbal Communication Developing Effective Communication Skills Principles for Effective Interpersonal Communication Suggestions for Improving Your Communication Skills Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities Appendix: A Cultural Self-Awareness Journey 10 Using Statements Purposes of Statements Statements That Provide Information Statements That Seek Information Statements That Confirm or Clarify Information Giving Verbal Feedback Characteristics of Effective Interpersonal Feedback Guidelines for Giving Effective Feedback Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities For Further Reading 11 Asking Questions Purposes of Questions Questions That Seek Information Questions That Provide Information Questions That Clarify or Confirm Information Characteristics of Questions Question Format Degree of Concreteness Suggestions for Effectively Asking Questions Use Pauses Effectively Monitor Question-Asking Interactions Attend to the Cultural Context Make Questions Meaningful Conducting Interviews Prior to the Interview During the Interview After the Interview Final Thoughts on Interviewing Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities 12 Difficult Interactions Understanding Conflict Causes of Conflict The Influence of Organizational Variables School Administration and Organization Conflict Response Styles Resolving Conflict through Negotiation Resolving Conflict through Mediation Conflict and Diversity Understanding Resistance Causes of Resistance Indicators of Resistance Assessing Whether to Address Resistance Persuasion as a Strategy for Responding to Resistance Putting the Pieces Together Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities and Assignments Appendix: Conflict Management Style Survey 13 Perspectives and Issues Role-Specific Considerations in Collaboration Working with Administrators Working with General Education Teachers Working with Professionals from Other Disciplines Context Considerations for Collaboration Interagency Contexts Early Intervention and Preschool Settings Vocational and Community-Based Services Multicultural Contexts Technology Based Contexts Student-to-Student Collaboration Ethics in Collaborative Practice Common Ethical Issues Responding to Ethical Issues Summary A Case for Collaboration Collaborative Activities