Collaboration
Together, everyone achieves more. Staff work together and hold each other accountable toward a shared goal of success for every learner.
Working in unison for every learner’s success 
Regular flow of information among and across teams helps the separate parts of the system work in unison. Each team oversees implementation and gauges effectiveness of particular aspects of the system.
For example:
- building leadership teams – focus on system-level excellence and equity
- student problem-solving teams – focus on planning and monitoring support for individual learners
Intentionally-designed implementation teams with shared goals
The complex work of improving outcomes for all and eliminating inequities depends on authentic dialogue, learning, and planning among learners, staff, families, and the community. Each partner plays an important role in collaborating for learner success.
Engaging learners as collaborative partners (student voice)
At the system level, learners provide a unique perspective on the actual impact versus the intended impact of school practices.
Learners serving on decision-making teams can provide insight into root causes of concerns. This helps teams take action that makes a meaningful difference for the learner.
Providing encouragement, expertise, and accountability for staff
Teams need coaching and training to work effectively. They also need assistance and leadership to develop culturally competent ways of collaborating.
Educators collaborate with one another by:
- Coming together to examine root causes and problem-solve,
- exchanging information,
- holding each other accountable through shared goals and progress data,
- identifying ways to more effectively meet the needs of every learners, and
- sharing diverse perspectives and expertise.
How do you know your system is collaborative?
- Occurs through intentionally designed linked implementation team structures and shared goals: within and across teams; across the district; across settings; at and across levels of support; among diverse stakeholders; across programs; and beyond the school system
- Depends on fluid team structure and regular flow of information among and across teams
- Emphasizes family and community engagement
Staff collaboration includes:
- Structures to exchange information, share expertise, and problem-solve
- Peer accountability
- Culturally competent team members committed to equity
Student collaboration includes:
- Actively seeking student voice at individual and system levels
- Providing choice
Resources for this Key System Feature
Disproportionality Technical Assistance Network (“The Network”)
Link
The Network works with preK-12 educators, schools, districts, and other community partners to reduce racial disproportionality in special education through a multi-tiered system of compliance…
Guide to Family Engagement Resources in Wisconsin
Resources for schools and districts looking to implement and improve their family engagement efforts within an equitable, multi-level system of supports.
Implementation Teams—National Implementation Research Network (NIRN)
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Link to The National Implementation Research Network's Active Implementation Hub for framework #4 - Implementation Teams.
The Interconnected Systems Framework: When School Mental Health is Integrated within a Multi-tiered System of Support
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Explore the connection of equitable, multi-level systems of supports and School Mental Health (SMH) systems to improve educational outcomes for all.
Promoting Excellence for All: Family and Community Engagement (DPI)
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Outlines family engagement strategies and practices that close achievement gaps and has direction connection to US Department of Education's Dual Capacity Framework for Family-School Partnerships
The Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework
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Integrating School Mental Health with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Wisconsin’s Framework for Equitable Multi-Level Systems of Supports
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Wisconsin’s Equitable Multi-level Systems of Supports conveys the vision of an integrated system of behavioral, social, emotional, and academic support, includes all educators and all…
Wisconsin FACETS: Guidebook for Serving on Groups
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This guidebook has eight sections to help encourage better participate at the table with all decision makers.