Collaborative Response
Three Foundational Components That Transform How We Respond to the Needs of Learners
Foreword by Andrew Hargreaves
A school-wide model for addressing individual needs
The greatest goal of education is to ensure equity while enhancing learning and academic success for all students. And yet, it is impossible for one teacher to meet the extensive needs of all students in his or her classroom. The traditional schooling model cannot provide for this complexity and leaves educators perplexed. The solution is a collaborative approach where “every child deserves a team” to surround them with supports that recognize their strengths and challenges.
Collaborative Responseoffers a school-wide model for addressing students’ individual needs. The three fundamental components of the model are: collaborative structures and processes; data and evidence; and continuum of supports. In this book, readers will find:
- Entry points for beginning this work
- Potential pitfalls of the approach
- Case studies from schools that have adopted the model
- Access to a website with tools, templates, case studies, and more
With a focus on quality classroom instruction, this book shares examples from schools and districts that have transformed how they respond to the needs of all learners.
Through the lens of intervention, our school has evolved notably in a short time span. Teachers now review their instructional practices more thoroughly, have a clearer understanding of student learning needs, and access recently created support structures to assist their students. Our Collaborative Response work has become a foundation to build upon to address a variety of concerns, both transient and long-lasting, and is now an essential part of our school growth processes.
With the use of consistent, intentional structures such as the collaborative team meetings, data analysis, and continuum of supports, we have seen increased efficacy, confidence, and collaboration at all levels of our organization. We are embracing a culture where staff rely on the strengths of their colleagues in a student-centered approach to inclusivity.
Collaborative Response provides a well-researched, flexible framework from which to address and support individual student learning needs. Administrators and teachers will appreciate the structures and processes which can be easily integrated into their practice. With clear guidelines for everything from organizing student data, to planning efficient team meetings, this book is a fantastic resource for improving student learning.
Our structure for student support involves a wonderful collaboration from a large group that consists of Administrators, Teachers, Educational Assistants, Student Services Team, and Cree & Language Team with the help of Jigsaw Learning, their team, and our contracted Service Providers. Collaborative Response enables us as a collective to find solutions to create student success. This approach tailors to the needs of our organization, with Cree Language and Culture as the foundation of our school.