Effective Collaboration Presentation

1. COLLABORATION
Characteristics, Approaches & Issues

2. As defined, collaboration is “the
action of working with someone to
produce or create something.”
Take a moment to discuss…
What does collaboration look like?
What does collaboration sound
like?
What is
Collaboration?

3. EFFECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
Without establishing a clear vision or purpose, people often feel as if they are just attending a meeting
out of compliance. There is a lack of enthusiasm and/or excitement without having a clear target.
Begin with the end in mind.
HEALTHY DISCOURSE
There is bound to be disagreement when a group comes toegther. It is essential to have healthy
discourse and constructive talk. Members are growing together and inevitably pushing each other's
thinking at times.
TRUST
By having trust in one another, risks can be taken, productive struggle can occur, and learning/moving
forward will occur.

4. ESTABLISHING NORMS
3 MAIN REASONS TO SET NORMS:
● To ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to
contribute in the meeting;
„
● To increase productivity and effectiveness
„
● To facilitate the achievement of its goals

5. HOW TO FOSTER PARENT-SCHOOL
COLLABORATION
Seek a Win-Win Mindset Parents need to feel welcomed & appreciated

6. HOW TO FOSTER PARENT-SCHOOL
COLLABORATION
Parents need to feel like equal partners Focus on student progress & success

7. APPROACHES
TO PROMOTE
HOME/SCHOOL
CONNECTION
Develop a communication system
that is efficient and becomes a
routine. All families’ needs should be
addressed. For example, there may
be families without phones or access
to a computer.
Methods of communication:
● Letters home
● Family night/meet the teacher
● Home visits
● Meetings/conferences

8. APPROACHES
TO PROMOTE
HOME/SCHOOL
CONNECTION
Staff members need to be provided
with relevant and effective
professional development. By
educating staff members, all staff
members, with new knowledge and
skills, their ability to form
collaborative relationships may be
improved. It cannot be assumed that
staff members have the toolbox
needed to connect with families and
collaborate in a positive & effective
manner.

9. APPROACHES
TO PROMOTE
HOME/SCHOOL
CONNECTION
Learning at Home
Parents need proper information to help support
their chlld at home.
Assigned homework should be something the
parents can understand and assist their child in
completing.
Parents need a curriculum night that provides a
road map for the year-including what their child
will be learning, how it will be assessed, and
end of year targets for success.
Collaboration with the Community
Provide parents with community resources
available.
Establish programs available to help parents
raise a whole child.
Volunteers
Make an effort to include parents in all school
activities, programs, and special events.
Parents can be invited in the classroom or
school to volunteer based on their interests or
expertise.

10. APPROACHES
TO PROMOTE
HOME/SCHOOL
CONNECTION
How to Parent
Parenting does not come with a manual. It
would be beneficial for schools to provide
parents with various resources to help better
understand children and how they learn.
Establish a parent group or meetings that focus
on challenges in parenting and strategies to
assist parents in raising their child.
Making Decisions
Parents need to be a part of site decision
making. There should be representation of
parents on various school site
teams/committees so that their opinions and
ideas are heard.

11. ETHICAL ISSUES
Confidentiality- As parents/families and schools engage in more and more
collaboration, the professional “line” can sometimes become blurred.
Feeling comfortable with one another and forming a trusting relationship
may lead the way to sharing information that should remain confidential.
The relationship needs to remain professional at all times.
Methods of Communication-As parents/families and schools engage in
more and more collaboration, the methods of communication can also
become less formal. All communication needs to remain on a professional
level and through school/district methods. It is not appropriate to text,
instant message, or engage with parents on personal social media in this
day and age.

12. Benefits of Effective Home-School
Collaboration
Positive attitudes about school
Improved grades, test scores, and attendance
Positive behavior
Shared educational goals
Parallel and consistent messages about academics &
social behavior