ABSTRACT
Collaboration is a form of professional development essential to supporting teachers and meeting the needs of all students, including those with disabilities. It is a goal-oriented process in which two or more individuals work together to complete a task or solve a problem. This chapter focuses on components of collaboration and co-teaching. It begins with an overview of collaboration and consultation. Co-teaching is a form of collaboration that facilitates educating students with special needs alongside their nondisabled peers in a general education classroom. Six co-teaching models comprise One Teach/One Observe, One Teach/One Assist, Parallel Teaching, Station Teaching, Alternative Teaching, and Team Teaching. A key to effective collaboration is clear communication, but even with the best intentions, pragmatic and philosophical or psychological barriers may exist. When conflicts do arise, it is imperative to revisit the goal, roles and responsibilities, and areas of agreement before defining areas of serious disagreement. Parents are a key and integral part of special education, and it is vital to cultivate collaborative partnerships and working relationships best to meet the student’s academic and behavioral needs.
