The Fundamentals of Collaboration

And Interpersonal Problem Solving

Krista Vince GarlandFebruary 1, 2012

The Art of Communication

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwjAAgGi-90&feature=BFp&list=FLT_IcFAIuQwo-wK1pq_llTQ

The Art of Collaboration

Characteristics of Students with Special Needs

Introduction to Collaboration & Inclusion

Review of Common Terms, Legal Guidelines & Regulations

From PL 94-142 to REI to IDEA to Today

Bouncin’ Around!

Test your collaboration skills with this group activity.

Start by forming small groups of 5-7, and arrange yourselves in a circle…

Early History of Individuals with Exceptionalities

Brother Juniper, 1182

Fairy Changelings, 1200s

Ship of Fools, 1450s

Pinel, 1800sTherapy

Itard1777

Enlightenment to early 1900s

Charles Darwin, 1859

Early 1900’s -Segregated services

or no services

Late 1960s - Disability Rights Movement

1975- Education of All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142) becomes federal law.

1990- PL 101-476,Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA), renames

and amends PL 94-142.

2001-The controversial No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is Approved by Congress and signed into law.

2004 - H.R. 1350, The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEA 2004), reauthorizes and modifies IDEA.

2011 - President Barack Obama announces that the U.S. Department of Education is inviting each State educational agency to request flexibility regarding some requirements of NCLB. 

http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/educationhistorytimeline.html

http://www.disabilitymuseum.org/dhm/index.html

http://www.dipity.com/dpgarland/

Cool Tech Timelines

Characteristics of Students Characteristics of Students with with

Special NeedsSpecial Needs

" You don't have to be handicapped to be different.

Everybody is already different."

Characteristics of Students with Special Needs

• Inconsistency in academic performance and learning deficiencies. May be behind their peers in reading, math and writing skills by 4-5 grade levels or they may be advanced years ahead.

• May have difficulty with presenting and maintaining consistent social relationships and appropriate behaviors in mainstream classrooms.

• May have difficulty understanding how to organize their thoughts, homework and completing expected curriculum expectations in mainstream classrooms and may fall further behind academically and socially act out in response to a growing frustration in the classroom.

1995: 45% 2005 : 52%,

(US Department of Education [USDOE], 2007).

Students with disabilities spending 80% or more of their time in general education setting:

INCLUSION!

Legislative Impetus

Collaboration is embedded in four

major features of P.L. 94-142

(Cramer, 1998)

1. Free and Appropriate Public

Education

2. Least Restrictive

Environment

3. IEP Multidisciplinary Team

4. Parent Participation

FAPE

COLLABORATION

LRE

Defining Special Education

• Special education is specially designed instruction to meet individuals’ unique learning needs.

• Fundamental tenets for educational services delivered to students with disabilities:

– Free appropriate public education– Least restrictive environment– Systematic identification procedures– Individualized education programs– Family involvement– Related services– Access to the general education curriculum

Language and Sensitivity

• Two basic rules: Put people first Do not make the person equal the disability

• For example: Do say: “students with mental retardation” Don’t say: “mentally retarded students”

• Exception: those with substantial visual and hearing problems who prefer a different descriptive approach

Collaboration is …

1. Voluntary

2. Requires parity among participants

3. Based on mutual goals

4. Depends on shared responsibility for participation and decision making

5. Individuals who collaborate share resources

6. Sharing the accountability of outcomes

(Friend & Cook, 2010)

Collaboration Skills

• The ability to effectively work with others is built upon three main skills: teamwork, communication, and problem solving (Ackley & Fallon, 2002; Johnson, Pugach & Devlin, 1990).

• A mutual effort among professionals & families is critical to plan, implement, and evaluate the educational program for a given student Requires shared responsibility (Morsink, Thomas, & Correa, 1991; Will, 1986).

• Efficacy of parental involvement & advocacy play a critical role in children’s achievement (Kroth & Edge,1997).

Myths About Collaboration

Four prevalent myths and misunderstandings that threaten collaborative practices

1. Everyone is doing it.2. More is better.3. It’s about feeling good and liking others.4. It comes naturally.

(Friend, 2003)

Create a StoryEliciting Effective Communication

Story Terms:

Pencil Rocking horse Stand Drink Ball Spaghetti Turtle Clock Tiger

Indicators:

Active listening,

Verbal turn taking,

Brainstorming (pg 41-42)

The Survivor EnvironmentThe Survivor Environment

• Atmosphere is guarded.• School-wide goals are not articulated.• Teachers may be overwhelmed with new

initiatives.• Exchange of ideas is limited

to selected alliances.• New initiatives may be

kicked off the island.

The Cooperative EnvironmentThe Cooperative Environment

• Atmosphere is pleasant.• School-wide goals may not be clearly

articulated.• Exchange of ideas may provide short-term

solutions.• Each teacher goes about

his/her business fairly

independently.

The Collaborative EnvironmentThe Collaborative Environment

• Atmosphere is energized.• School wide goals are clearly articulated.• Common goals are negotiated with input

from all stakeholders.• The vision is kept in mind in

all interactions.• Teachers function as members

of a team.

Indicators of Communication Skills foran Effective Diagnostic Process

• Brainstormed potential solutions & consequences

• Addressed one issue at a time• Did turn taking• Was active listener• Was visually attentive• Suspended judgment; showed interest in others’

viewpoint• Restated or paraphrased key points• Asked for clarification

Collaboration occurs with…

• Paraprofessionals

• School leadership

• Teacher preparation

•Response to Intervention (RtI)

•IEP Teams

•Discipline and behavior support teams

Dropped Keys!

Shopping Bag

2 AA Batteries A Flyswatter 25 feet of clothesline Cornflakes Denture adhesive Aluminum foil 3 Ping Pong balls A light bulb Garden shears

Indicators:

Clearly identifies problem,generates alternatives,willingness to overcome barriers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB60LhJMd24

21st Century Collaboration Is Enhanced by:

Are You Ready

to Collaborate?

Introduction to Collaboration & Inclusion

•History of Special Education

•Characteristics of Students with Special Needs

•Collaboration Stages & Strategies

Many thanks to you all for a great class,

Best of luck in all you do!

http://groups.diigo.com/group/digital-maybes