Caroline Woody

SPED854

Module 1: Personal Philosophy Statement

Collaboration is an essential component in the field of special education. Each student in

special education has a team of individuals that provide support based on their needs. Because of

the number of individuals involved in such a team approach, collaboration among these team

members is crucial. Families, general education teachers, special education teachers,

administrators, and related service providers are just a few of the team members who may be

involved in a students education. These team members bring different skills and expertise to the

table, so a common goal must be established through collaboration in order to ensure success for

the student. Collaboration is more than just a meeting, it is a way of working towards a shared

desired outcome.

A key factor of collaboration is purpose. Collaboration is effective when individuals are

aware of the goal at hand. There are a variety of reasons individuals may collaborate. For

example, a team may be collaborating in order to come up with appropriate interventions for a

student who is demonstrating deficits in general education classes. Administrators may be

collaborating with teachers to develop a new positive behavior support system for their school.

Problem solving is a way of collaborating, but is not the only reason school teams work together.

Individuals may also collaborate on new curriculum or teaching models. The reasons for

collaboration may vary, but all stakeholders must have a clear understanding of what goal they

are working towards. This helps eliminate any power struggles that may occur because a clear

intention is set.
 There are numerous ways to collaborate in special education. When an IEP team meets,

they collaborate in order to develop the most appropriate education plan for a student based on

their current levels of performance. General education teachers can collaborate with special

education teachers when push-in services are provided. Additionally, these teachers collaborate

when they co-teach in a general education setting. Co-teaching is a collaboration model that is

growing in popularity because it effectively meets the needs of all learners, not just those with

disabilities.

One of the most important forms of collaboration in special education occurs with

parents. Parents must be involved in the special education process, so educators must

communicate effectively with them and address their concerns appropriately. This is especially

critical when a student is first identified as eligible for special education services. Those who

work in the field are aware of the details that go into developing an individualized education

plan, but many parents may feel overwhelmed with the process. Collaboration with parents helps

ensure that they understand their role and parental rights throughout the process. Additionally,

collaboration with parents is essential during times of transition. For example, transitions

between elementary and middle school or high school and postsecondary opportunities may be

challenging. Collaboration between teams ahead of time helps foster a smooth transition for the

student. When collaborating with parents, school teams must recognize that each family is

unique and likely has different levels of desired involvement.

Collaboration is important in all fields of education, but it is crucial in special education.

Without collaboration, students would not have their needs met and may not be able to access the

general education curriculum. Collaboration can prove to be challenging, especially when power
struggles occur, but the results that come from collaboration provide a wealth of opportunities

for students who need them most.