Educational collaboration in special education
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Abstract
During the last twenty years in Massachusetts the delivery of services to special education students has changed significantly with the development of educational collaboratives. These educational collaboratives are comprised of public school districts and function as legal extensions of the members. Their purpose is to provide special education services to school districts in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
This study examined how school districts working through educational collaboratives provide special education services to children. This study addressed (1) the current status of educational collaboratives, (2) the impact collaboratives have on special education, (3) the extent to which collaboratlves advance the quality of special education, and (4) the role collaboratives play as a matter of public policy.
The study was conducted using data from in-depth interviews, document review, survey data, and the background experience of the researcher. In-depth interviews were conducted with individuals familiar with collaboration. A document review of all available historical documentation relative to collaboratives in Massachusetts was conducted. Survey data was collected on thirty-three collaboratives.
The study identified four areas of significance, including: (1) collaboratives have had an impact on how special needs students are served, (2) collaboratives have assisted with the right to education by providing expanded services, (3) collaboratives have become a permanent part of the educational system, and (4) a critical classroom shortage may affect collaborative programming.
The following recommendations were made: (1) a statewide study group should be formed to develop recommendations for classroom usage by collaboratives, (2) the Department of Education should study the collaboration model for non-special education areas, (3) reporting special needs students by prototype should be implemented for collaboratives, (4) increased educational partnerships should developed by collaboratives, (5) public awareness should be increased relative to collaborative operations, and (6) guidelines for collaborative development.
Description
Dissertation (Ed.D.)--Boston University
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