Forty child study teams were observed and verbal behaviors of classroom teachers in those teams were analyzed. Teachers in an experimental program stressing role clarification spoke significantly more than any other participants. Parents were most frequently addressed by other team members. (CL)

Questionnaire responses of 205 professionals on interdisciplinary teams serving disabled students indicated perceptions of few major problems in team functioning. Overall, Ss viewed logistical/procedural barriers of more concern than group interactional or discipline-related categories. (CL)

The paper reviews difficulties in special education interdisciplinary team decision making and relates the experiences of one team's efforts to increase intra-team communication. Among problems cited are lack of focus in discussions, unequal levels of participation, and limited abilities to produce recommendations or provide therapy in a truly…

A survey of 23 rehabilitation teachers and 23 orientation/mobility instructors determined that subjects in each group had generally positive attitudes toward the other group. However, substantial percentages of each group felt they encroached on the other's professional territory; and both groups felt themselves and the other group to be…

This presentation introduces the methods of negotiation and mediation in transdisciplinary decision-making, and applies the methods specifically to the educational needs and placements of students with disabilities. Four stages of mediation are described: problem identification, generation of problem-solving options, evaluation of options, and…

The article traces the background and history of occupational therapy and special education as they relate to the birth to three-year-old population, focusing on the meeting of the two professions and the development of mutual respect and partnership out of initial resentment and misunderstanding. (Author/JDD)

This article reviews the literature on consultation, collegiality, and other forms of collaboration in schools, as a means of assessing the knowledge base and understanding its relationship to special education. Research on implementation of collaborative practices in special education is called for. (JDD)

This article describes transdisciplinary consultation, a classroom-based team model in which team members focus on implementing a transdisciplinary model of service delivery. An evaluation of the model by nine preschool professionals indicated the teams perceived the model to have a positive impact on their personal and team development. (Contains…

A study involving 10 British teachers and 6 primary students with disabilities found the teachers saw the provision of learning support assistants as a critical factor in enabling students to be included in classroom activities. The importance of teamwork and effective communication was seen as essential. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This paper clarifies vocabulary in the area of collaboration in schools, describes characteristics of collaboration, and outlines a set of principles. Principles explain that collaboration is not a prerequisite in most school programs, may occur informally, requires time to develop, is not a panacea, and may raise ethical issues for special…

This article describes efforts in Colorado to develop collaborative relationships among educators to better meet needs of students with disabilities. The article stresses the importance of developing common understanding, developing a full array of services within the delivery system, and addressing school scheduling issues. (JDD)

Urges transition teams to have stronger interaction with school counselors, who possess expertise in assessment and planning for success in post-school domain. A Transition Intervention Model for School Counselors is provided that offers possible systemic alternatives that facilitate access to counselor expertise within transition-team structures.…

This third installation of the "Paraeducator Supervision Notebook" focuses on practical ways teachers can make decisions about which classroom tasks to delegate to a paraeducator. It discusses effective time management, the benefits of delegation, reasons school professionals fail to delegate, and steps for delegation to paraeducators. (CR)

This paper presents an interagency collaboration model designed to improve collaboration between residential programs and special education teachers involved with students residing in a community-based program. It uses the individualized educational program (IEP) process to provide a mechanism for transfer and generalization of goals between…

Part of a volume which explores current issues in service delivery to infants and toddlers with handicapping conditions (ages birth to 3), this chapter discusses issues relating to staffing of early intervention programs and reports the results of a study designed to clarify the staffing and teaming options currently used by selected intervention…