Below, you will find resources about collaboration and partnerships in special educations that will support your professional growth and enhance the students' learning experiences. Collaboration is essential as a special educator, whether it be with parents, the general education teacher, related service providers or administration, working with people is a necessary skill. Additionally, forming partnerships with members of the interdisciplinary team will provide important perspectives to help understand and best support your students and will help keep your approaches consistent for the success of the student.
Hocutt, A. M. (1996). Effectiveness of special education: Is placement the critical factor? The Future of Children, 6(1), 77–102. https://doi.org/10.2307/1602495
In Hocutt’s article, she explains that special education placement is not a critical factor for academic success. Rather, she states that the effectiveness of special education interventions is related to individualized instruction and consistent progress monitoring which impacts academic and social outcomes. The research also makes note that an inclusion setting is not always appropriate for all students with disabilities, but with appropriate resources they can thrive in general education settings. I think this resource shares some important factors for special education teachers to analyze when they support the interdisciplinary team in making placement decisions. Pre-service teachers should familiarize themselves with these strategies and various perspectives and understandings about the effects of different classroom environments.
Banks, T., Obiakor, F. E., & Rotatori, A. F. (2021). Enhancing partnerships in special education: Innovative collaboration, consultation, and cooperation. Information Age Publishing. https://search.library.albany.edu/permalink/01SUNY_ALB/qlq07b/alma9932426696504808
This book shares the importance of collaboration to a special education teacher as a part of the interdisciplinary team. It has several notable chapters about enhancing partnerships in special education: rationale, collaborating with different specialists like speech-language pathologists, physical education teachers, the school psychologist, mental health providers and principals. The book also discusses the role of technology, the government legislation and teacher preparation programs have in fostering partnerships in the special education process. I think this book encompasses a wide range of opportunities special education teachers have to collaborate professionally with their colleagues. This collaboration supports them as a professional and students in their outcomes and experiences. This book is a good read about how to best facilitate, maintain and enhance partnerships throughout your career.