We Need to Talk Communication Strategies for Effective Collaboration

Put simply, teachers today are opening their doors to collaborate and teach together (see box, “What Does the Literature Say?”, p. 6). To meet the needs of all students and promote inclusive services, special and general educators must communicate with colleagues in school settings. This article outlines a variety of communication strategies for effective collaboration in school settings. These strategies include conducting a needs assessment, providing professional development, producing newsletters, forming study groups, and conducting small-group dialogues. But what do people in inclusive schools need to talk about?