This article explains the use of mediation to improve special education partnerships between families and schools. Benefits and drawbacks to mediation are described, along with strategies for finding out about mediation in individual states and finding a mediator. Information on the Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special…

Considers how particular approaches to leading and managing laboratory technicians in some (British) secondary-school science departments enhanced collegiality. In some schools, lab paraprofessionals are involved in decision-making. Trust, delegation based on ability, cooperative values, inclusive leadership styles, and a sense of belonging were…

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…

Vitality in planning, interest in individual students' concern about high school, and meaningful rituals explain the effectiveness of a Columbus, Ohio, transition program. The combined efforts of many professionals result in a stable entering class that feels welcome; has fewer first-day absences, lost students, and schedule changes; and is better…

Investigates how participants (39 teenagers and 10 college-age online mentors) interacted and constructed shared knowledge of concepts, goals, tasks, procedures, and solutions when solving a real-world problem in an Internet-mediated project-based learning environment (iExpeditions). The main focus of the study was on how different patterns of…

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)

Presents relational and structural conditions necessary to successful collaboration between college faculty and administrators. Relational conditions include "refuse to play zero-sum games" and "the most important power in a college is the power to persuade." Structural conditions include "clarify the roles of players" and "prefer a matrix…

In a two-year program, general educators and gifted education specialists at 10 elementary schools collaborated to provide differentiated educational experiences to gifted learners. Results indicate the Catalyst Program was an effective delivery system for providing differentiated education to gifted learners and had positive spill-over effects…

To establish an effective, collaborative work culture, the school and its members must embrace continuous improvement. Principals can use certain activities and leadership approaches to help establish a productive school culture. One Oklahoma middle-school principal involved faculty in creating a school vision and developing grade-level teaching…

Guidelines for including ventilator-dependent children in school are offered, based on experience with six such students at a New York State school. Guidelines stress adherence to the medical management plan, the school-family partnership, roles of the social worker and psychologist, orientation, transportation, classroom issues, and steps toward…

Discussion of equipment problems in libraries resulting from new technology, budget cuts, and loss of staff focuses on experiences at Alfred University (New York) where a team approach was developed to improve patron service, keep appropriate records, include student assistants, and improve organization. (LRW)

For successful school reform, educators must think differently about the purpose of schools and educational delivery, and redesign infrastructures built on shared values and beliefs, multiple interacting linkages, and teamwork. School leaders are catalysts for change and, working with the school's power agents and modeling expected behaviors,…

Describes the benefits of "topic teamwork," an interdisciplinary model designed to make integrative teaching a well-structured, cooperative effort involving all teachers and students. The article presents examples of and strategies for integrating physical education with other subject areas and for assessing topic teamwork, concluding that topic…

This article discusses effective preassessment team procedures for identifying students with special needs, including collecting comprehensive information about the student, documenting the student's problems, developing specific and detailed intervention plans, identifying support personnel to help implement the intervention plan, and…

This article describes the development of collaborative partnership throughout the first year of a primary grade team including a classroom teacher, a graduate student providing special education services, and a university coordinator. It describes how collaboration allowed team members to meet the individual needs of children with learning…