ABSTRACT
Teams present an organizational structure where consultation with school staff and caregivers occurs. In this chapter, two roles of consultants on problem-solving teams will be presented, although there will be some overlap: enhancing the functioning of the team and improving team problem-solving processes. Over the past decades, the number of teams serving multiple purposes in schools has grown and become part of the organizational culture of schools. Teams have become more common in schools, as in other organizations, given the increased recognition that organizations need to integrate across departments and functions. A high-performance team shares certain common traits. To maximize the value of teams, leadership and member skills for effective teams are required. Effective problem-solving teams are concerned with two types of processes: processes for effective team functioning (team development and maintenance) and processes for effective problem-solving, similar to those used in consultant-consultee problem-solving work.
