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
