Teacher teams at a new secondary school were observed during their first year working together. Based on observations, interviews, and document analysis, this article describes a crisis in teacher relations (a controversy about grading) and examines the role and effectiveness of collaboration in handling the crisis. (SM)

Asserts that effective cooperative learning maximizes comprehension and teamwork skills by holding students individually accountable in their efforts to help the team. Describes the Peer and Self-Evaluation System (PSES), which provides students with confidential feedback regarding personal strengths and limitations. Contains 10 references. (VWC)

This article reviews literature on the use of interpreters and offers recommendations that will promote effective communication among family members, service providers, and interpreters who speak the family's language, but have not been trained formally as interpreters or special educators. The complexity of the interpretation process is…

Developmentally oriented teacher support teams and home-school partnerships are critical to learning environments that promote children's total development. The former focuses on supporting effective teaching and classroom management, preventing school and individual problems, and intervening early and intensively to avoid crises. The latter…

This article discusses the importance of using a family-centered approach in early childhood intervention and practices that integrate child assessment within the context of the family. Strategies for developing an integrated approach within the different components of the assessment process are described. Principles for assessments with family…

In capstone business strategy courses, a large-scale simulation organized student teams into "corporations" that prepared functional and integrative deliverables. Data from 502 students supported the effectiveness of large-scale simulation in helping students recognize the importance of integrating functional knowledge and developing an…

This article discusses the need for comprehensive sexuality education for youth who are deaf or hard of hearing and calls for expanded teacher preparation at both the postsecondary level and the level of the individual school. The need for a team approach to sexuality education involving school staff, parents, and deaf adults in the community is…

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.…

Discusses potential problems with the current emphasis on various collaborative educational partnerships in early childhood education: (1) avoidance of more fundamental educational issues; (2) pretense that collaboration comes at no cost; and (3) diversion from the primary task. Presents examples of effective collaboration and one in which…

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)

An Illinois school district's quest for magical answers to technology-integration woes inspired a homegrown potion. Planners advise others to begin the journey regardless of available resources, find supportive "munchkins" within the community, face and overcome obstacles, choose traveling companions wisely, fight off attacks together, and create…

This commentary discusses the limitations of traditional research and the benefits of participatory action research (PAR) that changes the stance of the researcher from dispassionate observer to that of friend, ally, and colleague of the "subject". The use of PAR in helping researchers, parents, and advocates work together in promoting…

Interviews and observations in a British clothing factory that introduced a new computer numerical control system and teamwork/empowerment showed that "teamwork" actually meant little worker control over daily work; deployment of workers often disrupted group cohesiveness. Worker responses included increased absence and turnover.…

Examined how high school teachers made meaning of a change process involving teamwork, interdisciplinary teaching, and block scheduling. Document analysis, observation, and interview data indicated that uncertainty and doubt were the pervading themes and had a critical effect on the teaching team's ability to move to interdisciplinary teaching.…

Schools can reduce their vulnerability to violence and other hazards by analyzing foreseeable risks, assembling a broad-based crisis-management team (CMT), providing adequate staff training, and developing a crisis manual. Common response problems concerning decision-making authority, communication, and performance expectations for CMTs are…