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All three interviewees indicated communication and data analysis as part of consultation. They also indicated time scheduling as a potential barrier to consultation. And, all agreed that the goal is to promote success in struggling students.

Both the Special Education and General Education teacher included different perspectives and new ideas as benefits of consultation.

The School Counselor spoke about personality differences as a possible barrier to consultation. She also stated that this is a critical component of her work. Additionally, she said that she has many different roles in consultation including advisor, advocate, collaborator, facilitator and mediator.

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Consultation is the collaboration of professional school counselors with parents, students, teachers, administrators and other helping professionals both within and outside the school setting.

The goal of consultation is to empower those involved to assist students in the areas of personal/social, academic and/or career development.

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Co-Teaching is defined as two teachers working together with groups of students; sharing the planning, organization, delivery, and assessment of instruction, as well as the physical space.

The Special Education teacher went on to add that there are different models of co-teaching. One is teaching the concept, while the other is doing data collection. Another way is to split the class in half, and each teachers instructs a different concept, and then they switch.

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Both teachers indicated the need for coordination of time, training, and materials to better prepare them for co-teaching.

The Special Education Teacher added that observing other teachers who co teach helped her too. She also said that she benefits from the discussion of IEPs and regular education goals.

The General Education teacher said she likes to identify teaching styles and use them to complement one another. Also, she finds it beneficial discuss individual strengths and weaknesses in the classroom.

The School Counselor does not engage in co-teaching but she did add that a benefit of it is the formulation of a plan of action as a team, and stressed the value of the team growing together.

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The Special education teacher added open communication, planning and developing goals to her description.

The General Education teacher included flexibility, patience persistence and determination.

The School Counselor described collaboration as participating in discussions with parents and teachers about ways to help the student foster the necessary skills to succeed.

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Collaboration takes place when members of a learning community work together as equals to assist students to succeed in the classroom.

All three of the interviewees described collaboration as working together as a team to reach a common goal.  They also said listening and speaking skills were very important in successful collaboration

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A Survey of Collaborative Practices