When the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was reauthorized in 2004, one of the significant amendments concerned Individual Education Program (IEP) team attendance. A member of an IEP team may be excused if "the member's area of the curriculum or related services is not being modified or discussed in the meeting." The…

Similarities and differences between least restrictive environment (LRE) and collaboration are considered. It is suggested that both LRE and collaboration are essential to achieving appropriate education for students with disabilities, but the potential of LRE and collaboration has not yet been fully realized. (SW)

Functional behavior assessment (FBA) is an integral component of a positive behavior support approach to preventing problem behavior across all students in the school. As primary prevention, FBA is a collaborative school-wide practice to predict common problems and to develop school-wide interventions. As secondary prevention, FBA involves simple…

Describes a model for conducting functional assessment in the home. The model uses a trans-disciplinary technical-assistance team to assess and plan interventions for young children with severe challenging behaviors. Discussion includes the kind of information needed, specific examples of data collection in the home, and the benefits and barriers…

In this interview, Dr. Richard Van Acker discusses federal requirements for functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and the teamwork involved in conducting an FBA. Various components of FBAs and the approximate time required are outlined and examples are provided of structured data collection for use in the FBA. (CR)

A study explored expectations of 80 elementary teachers of the prereferral intervention team process and the need for direct support in implementing proposed interventions. The majority expected to acquire classroom interventions, obtain professional support, and inform parents of concerns. More than half were in favor of in-class demonstrations…

Describes the needs of minority children with disabilities and two peer-tutoring programs, Classwide Peer Tutoring and Classwide Student Tutoring Teams, that have been used effectively to promote the academic and social integration of minority children with disabilities into general-education settings. (Author/CR)

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)

Summarizes advances in functional behavioral assessment of students with behavior problems that focuses on team implementation. Discusses issues such as practical difficulties in manipulating consequences, the complexity added by the need to also conduct academic assessments, and collaboration between applied researchers and practitioners. (DB)

This study examined the perceptions of general (N=92) and special (N=114) educators on preassessment teams concerning team effectiveness, including perceived productivity, utility of intervention suggestions, and impact of the team on numbers of students found eligible for special education services. Special and general education teachers had…

A survey of 312 Illinois elementary schools found that 178 had intervention assistance teams. Questionnaires completed by 83 schools provided information about team effectiveness, team composition, strategies and supports, team process, and inservice training and development. Teams met the needs of 59% of students without resorting to formal…

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)

Interprofessional collaboration in the schools is discussed in terms of: major influences on collaboration (including social changes, legislation, and educational changes); practical aspects of teamwork; and parameters of collaboration in practice such as collaboration with students and their families, collaboration among school professionals, and…

Discusses requirements specified in the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that pertain to functional behavioral assessment, as well as positive behavioral intervention plans and supports as they relate to the responsibilities of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and to the IEP itself. (CR)