Project

Building a Healthy Climate for Collaboration

The study evaluated the preexisting collaborative climate at a public elementary school that implemented inclusive education by integrating students with exceptionality in general education classrooms. Qualitative data collected through in person interviews of IEP staff members at the school site were analyzed to identify a baseline of need prior to the development of a collaborative digital platform. Based upon the identified baseline of need, a website was created with the purpose of increasing collaborative efforts, enriching philosophical understanding and acceptance of inclusion, and promoting the use of resources that incorporate elements of universal design. The websites key function was to provide a platform for IEP staff to accurately and consistently monitor student IEP goal progress across settings, and to increase the quality and quantity of team communicational efforts. The website was piloted for a total of five weeks wherein IEP goal progress was digitally managed by the general education teacher, education specialist, and the paraprofessional that worked with the three student participants. Effectiveness of the website was measured by post-launch staff participant interview data and analysis of student progress data logged during the pilot period. Results indicated that the website was effective in addressing the gap that was identified between administrative expectations relating to inclusion and the collaborative efforts required to ensure successful implementation. The purpose of this study was to produce a tool that educators can use to increase collaboration between IEP team members. Keywords: educational collaboration, IEP goal progress, inclusion, universal design

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