This chapter discusses collaborative team decision-making and pupil information processes in schools. It identifies characteristics of effective school teams, such as shared goals, clearly defined roles, and using objective data. Several types of school teams are described, including those focused on school-wide assistance and individual education plans. When communicating with parents, teams should do so frequently, focus on solutions, and translate information. Strict guidelines outlined in FERPA must be followed when handling and disseminating pupil information and records.

1. Chapter Twenty-Nine
Collaborative Team Decision-Making

2. Characteristics of Effective School
Teams
• Effective communication and collaboration is essential, given
that many important decisions are made by groups of
individuals
• Some important principles:
– Have a shared goal/purpose
– Clearly articulate roles and functions of team members
– Listen to and respect other’s viewpoints
– Balance structure and flexibility during team meetings
– Use objective data
– Ensure confidentiality
– Regularly evaluate team functioning

3. Types of Teams
• School-wide Assistance
• Intervention Assistance
• Multi-disciplinary
• Individual Education Plan

4. Communicating with Parents
• Communicate frequently
• Communicate strengths and weaknesses
• Translate assessment information
• Be aware of cultural differences and their impact
• Schedule to facilitate attendance
• Clearly explain assessment purposes and outcomes
• Use non-technical language
• Focus on solutions/avoid blame

5. Communicating Using Electronic
and Written Records
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA)
– Parents have right to inspect records until child is
18
– Release of information to others requires parent
consent

6. Collection of Pupil Information
• Screening (parent consent not necessarily
needed)
– Academic
– Vision
– Hearing
• For eligibility determination and collection of
data for research purposes, parent consent is
needed.

7. Collection of Pupil Information
• Verification – ascertain the truth of collected information
– Only verified data should be maintained in records
• Summarization and Interpretation
– Typically, a report is created when determining eligibility for special
services
– Principles for good reports
• Organized
• Use language that is easily understood
• Focus on observed behaviors
• Focus on relevant information
• Convey level of certainty
• Provide data-based recommendations

8. Maintenance of Pupil Information
• Retention of pupil information for limited
periods of time
• Parental rights of inspection and amendment
• Assurance of protection against inappropriate
snooping.

9. Dissemination of Pupil Information
• Access within schools
– Must keep record of who views student files
– Only those with legitimate need to know can view
files
• Access outside schools
– Parent permission needed
• Important considerations for electronic
records and communication

10. Dissemination of Pupil Information
• Access within schools
– Must keep record of who views student files
– Only those with legitimate need to know can view
files
• Access outside schools
– Parent permission needed
• Important considerations for electronic
records and communication