This paper calls for development of powerful instructional strategies that will enable teachers to educate students with wide-ranging abilities and backgrounds in integrated settings. Three peer-mediated instructional procedures that have been used with at-risk students are described: classwide peer tutoring, classwide student tutoring teams, and…

This article reviews the evolution of collaboration and consultation as they relate to special education and considers the current status of these approaches to serving learners with mild handicaps. Future trends are thought to include increased societal emphasis on collaboration and alternative school structures and approaches. (DB)

Describes a school-based interprofessional case management model for children at risk for school failure that has been field tested in elementary and secondary schools. The model has three components: the case manager, the school-based interprofessional management team, and the comprehensive service network. The model has been used as a framework…

A survey attempted to identify the assessment practices used in 170 school districts with programs for adolescents with behavior disorders. Results are interpreted for the areas of school policy, multidisciplinary team meetings, test instruments, and entrance and exit criteria. (DB)

Describes the use of the action planning and research process (APR) by seven collaborative teams with 29 students having emotional or behavioral disorders in a middle school. The process involves student identification; systematic student assessment in interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, and biological areas; developing and implementing…

This paper urges increased educator and community agency collaboration in preventing failure among students with special needs, including students with disabilities. A chart compares networking, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration and distinguishes among them in terms of types of interaction, examples, impact on students, and impact on…

This article describes the following steps for developing and implementing system-wide behavior support: establishing a foundation for collaboration; building faculty involvement; establishing a data-based decision-making system, brainstorming and selecting strategies within an action planning process; implementing a school-wide program through an…

Describes the critical case review strategy, which is designed to help case management teams evaluate decisions and actions. A three-step review process is applied to team meetings concerning two sample cases of elementary students with special needs. Principles learned from using the process with five teams are identified, such as the need for…

The Student Study Team (SST) is described as a California intervention model that encourages effective multidisciplinary team participation. The development, training, operation, and evaluation of such teams are discussed, and implementation recommendations are offered. The article includes a flow chart of the SST process, a meeting competency…

This article discusses components of teacher collaboration, such as working together to prevent learning and behavior problems and to minimize the need for special service referrals; learning to manage the care of students who must be referred; and participating in school-based teams working towards comprehensive integrated, programmatic…

Research on a team game designed to reinforce positive target behaviors is reviewed. Classroom organization, reinforcement criteria, when and how long to play the game, and reinforcement for winning teams are discussed, as are two variants on the original game. The game is found to be highly effective in reducing talking and out-of-seat behavior.…

This paper points out the importance of special educators' communication skills in effective collaboration. The basic components of face-to-face communication are discussed, emphasizing the role of the speaker and listener. An explanation of the process of active listening is also included, noting possible verbal and nonverbal listener responses.…

Three administrative building blocks for supporting collaborative processes in schools are discussed: program advocacy based on a school climate of trust and good communication between staff and administration, visible participation by administrators to build credibility, and support for maintenance and durability of the program. (JDD)

A study of nine effective secondary school teams teaching students with disabilities found the following characteristics: creating positive learning climates, providing instruction that focuses on active learning, setting and maintaining high expectations, allocating time to plan for the co-teaching process, and finding creative ways to evaluate…

Pennsylvania's instructional support initiatives for secondary students with special needs include collaboration, curriculum-based assessment, learning strategies, and instructional adaptations. A learning strategies model for low achievers is described, followed by one school's experience using instructional supports in regular English classes…