Group B: Time to Collaborate w/ all Partners

Participants: Brian Baker, Allison Hintzman, Bob Hudlow, Merrie Miller, Leslie O'Dell, Jan Standlea, & Shelly Strom

PROBLEM STATEMENT: We don’t understand all the disciplines/community resources; what they do and how they work; and this results in a lack of continuity and not using all resources effectively to serve students.

Recommendation 1:  Provide dedicated, sufficient uninterrupted collaboration time between Sp. Ed., Gen Ed, itinerants, Paras, ELL, TAG

Working Well:

• In Our Control:
  • n/a
• Outside of Our Control:
  • n/a

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control:
  • One staff meeting per month dedicated to collaboration (PD building staff Responsible)
  • Specific collaboration teams regarding transition between schools

• Outside of Our Control:
  • Extend late opening one hour for collaboration
  • Use of technology for example, webcams for meetings
  • Structured (with protocol) multidisciplinary monthly team meetings including community partners

Recommendation 2:  Establish opportunities for Sp Ed teachers to collaborate around student issues.

Working Well:

• In Our Control:
  • n/a
• Outside of Our Control:
  • n/a

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control:
  • Scheduling school team planning to happen weekly with team without interruption
  • School psych in each building twice a week
  • Demand that some part of job alike include teachers talking to each other.
  • Documentation that all team members are invited to meeting
• Outside of Our Control:
  • Team (motor SIP ELL) representation at each proposed late opening meeting.
  • Use of technology for meetings(webcam, conference calls)
  • List that contains each student and names of all service providers for student (Learning Center, PT, OT, APE, ELL, Tag, etc)

Recommendation 3:  Representation of Minorities and people with disabilities.

Working Well:

• In Our Control:
  • n/a
• Outside of Our Control:
  • n/a

Not Working Well or Does Not Exist:

• In Our Control:
  • Invite Community Representatives to monthly meetings
  • Go out to the community (outreach) to build more comprehensive and trusting relationships and understanding culture and impact of a disability within that framework

• Outside of Our Control:
  • Making translation of materials accessible and easy to understand (applies to translating IEPs,  meeting notices, and any material that goes home to parents).  A question was raised as to whether there is software available for this so that it could be done as part of creating the IEP and simply translating it into another language.  The people at translation services are available to assist.