Collaborative CommunitiesA DOE and GLRS

Collaboration

2013 Fall G-CASE Leadership Conference

Kimberly Simmons

Kathryn Ellis

Collaborative Communities

Learning Targets• I can ….

Identify the three dimensions of Collaborative Communities

• I can….Identify areas where progress has been madeRecognize areas where the work must continueArticulate a differentiated plan needed for my

district

The Visionfor

Collaborative Communities

Collaboration

If we don’t collaborate how can we know all of the possibilities

that are out there waiting for us.

Choose a Shape

Collaborative Communities

Our Focus

Shared Vision

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Who and What?

What is a Collaborative Community?• A group of people who share common roles,

responsibilities, and desired outcomes.

• Participants deepen their knowledge and expertise by sharing information and resources.

• They utilize focused action and shared leadership to work together to accomplish common goals.

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GLRSDirector

GaDOELiaison

Special EducationDirector

Who is Involved?

Shared VisionWhy and How?

Why Collaborative Communities?

The Collaborative Communities approach reflects a technical assistance

model of the future in which stakeholders are engaged in solving

critical problems and are supported in their efforts, rather than being told what to do by external sources (NASDE, p. 9).

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Dimensions of Collaborative Communities

Relationship Issues

Action

Five Focus Areas

Procedures Practices

Implementation

Identification ProcessDo we have compliant identification procedures and practices?

Services and SupportsAre SWDs receiving FAPE in the LRE to access the curriculum?

Student ProgressAre SWDs making progress with the general curriculum as compared to grade level standards?

Indicators 3,4,5,7,8,15,

and 20

Indicators 3,4,5,6,8,12,1

5, and 20

Indicators 3,4,8,9,10,11,1

2,15,and 20

Parent EngagementAre we facilitating parent engagement to improve results for SWDs?

College and Career ReadyAre SWDs prepared for college and/or career upon exiting high school

Indicators 8,15,16,17,

18,19, and 20

Indicators 1,2,3,4,5,8,

13,14,15, and 20

How does the process work?

Tier 2 -Implementation

• Focus Area Topics• Probing Questions• Protocols• Stakeholder Groups• District Level-Collaborative Communities• Practice-Implementation• Supervision/Monitoring

Implementation

• GaDOE

State Level

• Georgia Learning Resource System

Regional • Local Education Agencies

District

Getting To The Work

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Vince Lomabardi

Expectations for 2013-2014• Continuation of Collaborative Communities

– Mandatory 5 meetings• SPED Directors• DOE District Liaison• GLRS Facilitators

– Differentiated Process– Group specific focus areas– Participation in pre-assessment/post-assessment survey– Artifacts from CC participation

• Meeting-specific items• Written procedures in focus areas• Implementation of procedures• Articulated plan for supervision and monitoring

Artifact Box

District 10 Progress

Year 2 Essential & Probing Questions

• How have you utilized activities/resources from last year’s Collaborative Communities to improve services to SWDs through creation and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures?– What are the biggest challenges you face with

development & implementation?– What resources and supports would help you to improve

this process?– How can you use collaborative communities and your time

with other special education directors to streamline this process?

Stand Up And Vote!I have made the most progress in…..

I could use more support in…

College and Career

ReadinessIdentification

Services and Supports

Parent EngagementStudent Progress

Differentiation…The Equalizer

Goal: Optimize learning foreveryone against the same

standards

http://webkelley.com/DOE/MESPA/curriculum/html/42equal.htm

District 10 Plan

• Results of formative & summative system data–No two special education directors

have identical abilities, experiences or needs–No two school systems have same

strengths, issues or needs

District 10 Plan

• Results of formative & summative survey–Responsive to readiness & interests of

directors• Determined special education directors to act

as “sages”• Determine resources & materials needed by

work-based group

Differentiated Collaborative Communities

“…like airport hubs; … passengers arrive from many different backgrounds.... Their particular takeoffs ….demand

different flight patterns." • - Dr. Mel Levine

Differentiated Collaborative Communities

• Action plan– Issues/topics to be addressed–Actions to address issues–Resources needed– Target Dates–Work to be completed between sessions–Next Collaborative Community activity

preparation–Others?

• Insert blank copy of action plan

Moving Forward…Advice From Business

• Involve people responsible for implementation• Ensure plan is realistic and collaborative• Integrate into overall mission/purpose• Organize into smaller working plans• Specify who is doing what & when • Specify & clarify implementation roles &

responsibilitiesHarvard Business Publishing, 2011

Moving Forward…Advice From Business (Continued)

• Build in regular reviews of implementation • Translate into job descriptions & personnel

performance • Communicate & follow-up • Document & distribute• Emphasis feedback

Harvard Business Publishing, 2011

Coming together is a beginning; keeping togetherIs progress; working together is success.

Henry Ford