Collaborative Communities A DOE and GLRS Collaboration 2013 Fall G-CASE Leadership Conference Kimberly Simmons Kathryn Ellis

Collaborative Communities

Learning Targets I can ….  Identify the three dimensions of Collaborative Communities I can….  Identify areas where progress has been made  Recognize areas where the work must continue  Articulate a differentiated plan needed for my district

The Vision for Collaborative Communitie s

Collaboration If we don’t collaborate how can we know all of the possibilities that are out there waiting for us.

Choose a Shape

Collaborative Communities Our Focus

Shared Vision 8 Who and What?

What is a Collaborative Community? A group of people who share common roles, responsibilities, and desired outcomes. Participants deepen their knowledge and expertise by sharing information and resources. They utilize focused action and shared leadership to work together to accomplish common goals. 9

GLRS Director GaDOE Liaison Special Education Director Who is Involved?

Shared Vision Why and How?

Why Collaborative Communities? The Collaborative Communities approach reflects a technical assistance model of the future in which stakeholders are engaged in solving critical problems and are supported in their efforts, rather than being told what to do by external sources (NASDE, p. 9). 12

Dimensions of Collaborative Communities RelationshipIssues Action

Five Focus Areas Procedures Practices Implementation

Identification Process Do we have compliant identification procedures and practices? Services and Supports Are SWDs receiving FAPE in the LRE to access the curriculum? Student Progress Are SWDs making progress with the general curriculum as compared to grade level standards? Indicators 3,4,5,7,8,15, and 20 Indicators 3,4,5,6,8,12,1 5, and 20 Indicators 3,4,8,9,10,11,1 2,15,and 20

Parent Engagement Are we facilitating parent engagement to improve results for SWDs? College and Career Ready Are SWDs prepared for college and/or career upon exiting high school Indicators 8,15,16,17, 18,19, and 20 Indicators 1,2,3,4,5,8, 13,14,15, and 20

How does the process work?

Tier 2 -Implementation Focus Area Topics Probing Questions Protocols Stakeholder Groups District Level-Collaborative Communities Practice-Implementation Supervision/Monitoring

Implementation GaDOE State Level Georgia Learning Resource System Regional Local Education Agencies District

Getting To The Work The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Vince Lomabardi

Expectations for Continuation of Collaborative Communities – Mandatory 5 meetings SPED Directors DOE District Liaison GLRS Facilitators – Differentiated Process – Group specific focus areas – Participation in pre-assessment/post-assessment survey – Artifacts from CC participation Meeting-specific items Written procedures in focus areas Implementation of procedures Articulated plan for supervision and monitoring

Artifact Box District 10 Progress

Year 2 Essential & Probing Questions How have you utilized activities/resources from last year’s Collaborative Communities to improve services to SWDs through creation and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures? – What are the biggest challenges you face with development & implementation? – What resources and supports would help you to improve this process? – How can you use collaborative communities and your time with other special education directors to streamline this process?

Stand Up And Vote! Stand Up And Vote! I have made the most progress in….. I could use more support in… College and Career Readiness Identification Services and Supports Parent Engagement Student Progress

Differentiation…The Equalizer Goal: Optimize learning for everyone against the same standards

District 10 Plan Results of formative & summative system data – No two special education directors have identical abilities, experiences or needs – No two school systems have same strengths, issues or needs

District 10 Plan Results of formative & summative survey – Responsive to readiness & interests of directors Determined special education directors to act as “sages” Determine resources & materials needed by work-based group

Differentiated Collaborative Communities “…like airport hubs; … passengers arrive from many different backgrounds.... Their particular takeoffs ….demand different flight patterns." - Dr. Mel Levine

Differentiated Collaborative Communities Action plan – Issues/topics to be addressed – Actions to address issues – Resources needed – Target Dates – Work to be completed between sessions – Next Collaborative Community activity preparation – Others?

Insert blank copy of action plan

Moving Forward…Advice From Business Involve people responsible for implementation Ensure plan is realistic and collaborative Integrate into overall mission/purpose Organize into smaller working plans Specify who is doing what & when Specify & clarify implementation roles & responsibilities Harvard Business Publishing, 2011

Moving Forward…Advice From Business (Continued) Build in regular reviews of implementation Translate into job descriptions & personnel performance Communicate & follow-up Document & distribute Emphasis feedback Harvard Business Publishing, 2011

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together Is progress; working together is success. Henry Ford