Week+2+Discussion+Question+2

=Question 2=

Is the collaborative process successful? What makes it succeed or not succeed?

Overall, it has been successful because when we are engaged in collaborative activities the learning community shares a common interest in education. The process is worthwhile and successful but the outcome or the result of the collaboration is not always represented in the final decision. An example would be the current debate about homework. At our faculty meetings and community meetings, this has been discussed by many. This discussion prompted the administration to offer a book study to faculty to look at the issue regarding current research. This collaboration was very rich and many opinions were expressed therefore, in my eyes it was a successful collaboration. However, the administration still supports homework that is differentiated and exploratory even though most of staff feels that homework is for practice of skills and to develop responsibility. If the purpose of collaboration is to engage in a professional dialogue about current education issues then our model is successful.In contrast,if the purpose of collaboration is to gather ideas and integrate the ideas to shape the decision making process then our model is ineffective.

Pat Moriarty

We have some difficulties with collaboration. Most of our teachers are first year teachers, many from Teach For America and they have a problem with our inquiry based, relevant approach. So collaboration is difficult. Weekly department meetings try to help teachers work together. Twice monthly grade level team meetings help teachers discuss students who need more support and culture issues. This would be a great time for collaboration. While we are a social justice focused school the administration does not listen to teacher's ideas. This means the administration does not lead by example which demoralizes teachers and does not provide and example of collaboration. As Director of Technology I have been collaborating with teachers who are open to using technology in their projects.

So while the collaboration is as successful as it could be with such a new staff and an administration that doesn't believe in it. Allyson Smith

It is successful, and the collaboration makes it succeed and all stakeholders are involved in the process. We have meetings with a curriculum committee, community members, and most importantly high school students. Patrick Chodkiewicz

The collaboration piece has been extremely successful at this school. There is input from all staff as well as the students, parents and partners of the school. It does promote success for the school, but at times gets in the way of progress. At times some of the leaders have conflicting ideals and goals, which leads to divisions in staff and productivity. Most time though those situations are cooperatively worked out. Since this school is so small, it really must be extremely collaborative. If the staff did not work together effectively, it would not survive.

C Capozzoli