Collaboration is a style of direct interaction between at least two co-equal parties that are voluntarily engaged in shared decision making working toward a common goal.
--voluntary, parity, mutual goals, shared responsibility, shared decision making, shared resources, shared accountability for outcomes

Emergent Characteristics of Collaboration

1. Value of interpersonal style
2. Development of TRUST
3. Sense of Community

Dilemmas of Collaboration

-School structure, professional socialization, pragmatic (practical) issues

...Contemporary Context

-Societal trends, school collaboration (RtI, School-University Partnerships, Peer Collaboration), Special Ed Collaboration

SPED IDEA Collaboration

-Assessment process, IEP teams, LRE, Highly Qualified Teacher Requirements, Transition, Paraprofessionals

Collaboration includes sharing resources such as time, knowledge, availability, other resources, paraprofessionals, technologies, and strategies.

Collaboration does not happen by coercion.