To accomplish the ultimate social integration of students with disabilities in integrated
school and community environments, the active collaboration between general and special
education teachers who were most directly involved in designing and implementing or
monitoring the daily educational programs should be addressed in one cohesive and
comprehensive system. According to this view, organizational shifts in traditional service
provision models should be accompanied in order for such collaborative educational
programs to be implemented.
Based on the results of literature review related to the development and implementation
of effective collaborative relationships, this study clarified the primary functions of
collaborative educational teachers, discussed the important interpersonal collaboration
skills required for engaging in their role release, and presented the organizational
strategies for organizing their time in dynamic change processes. Specifically, the
following was discussed: (1) the dual functions as service provider and collaborator of
collaborative educational teachers in the two educational disciplines; (2) the use of block
scheduling to allocate time to work together and strategies to collaborate effectively
during the block scheduled time; and (3) training methods for developing specific
collaboration skills required for effective interpersonal interactions and collaboration (i.e.,
exchanging information and skills, solving problems, making decisions by consensus,
resolving conflicts).