School collaboration is one of the best and fastest ways to improve the effectiveness of a school. Effective school leaders soon realize the importance of using their entire staff to make a school successful. Successful leaders are not afraid to give their staff and parents the opportunity to help make good decisions that will improve their schools. The adage, “Two heads are better than one,” sums up the concept that a team can work smarter together than individually.
A school principal can begin the collaborative process by organizing key staff members to serve on a school cabinet. This cabinet has the responsibility of assisting the principal in making successful decisions for the entire school. This cabinet may consist of vice principals, counselors, a dean of students, administrative staff, and a few members of the academic staff, to name just a few possibilities. Cabinet meetings should be weekly, if possible.
When the cabinet works as a team, they can collaborate together on decisions that impact the school. The director should lead the group and ensure that all cabinet meetings run productively. Cabinet members have the opportunity to discuss what is happening in their departments or at the school. The cabinet may also use its meeting time to ensure that all school activities are properly organized and properly supervised. In addition, the principal has the opportunity to see what is working and what is not working in the school. Collaboration is the key to the success of these cabinet meetings.
Another collaborative program that has proven successful is Professional Leaning Communities (PLC). It is a group of educators who meet regularly, share their experience, and work collaboratively to improve their teaching skills. PLCs are great for developing a culture of collaboration among teachers, which will carry over to helping all students learn at a higher level.
To be successful, PLCs must allow teachers the opportunity to share responsibilities to develop the right content and skills for students, schedule enough time for teachers to collaborate, and ensure that teachers can access key resources. In addition, teachers must have the positive support of school leadership. Then they will be fully successful.
Another collaborative strategy involves the parents of the students. Research has told us that parent involvement is one of the main keys to student success. School leadership must be willing to go to great lengths to collaborate with their parents. This objective can be achieved by:
1. Organize a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) or PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
2. Provide new volunteer opportunities for parents.
3. Encourage parent participation in parent-teacher conferences
4. Develop clear communication procedures
5. Allow parents to join school committees
6. Have an open door policy for parents
7. Development of a manual for parents
8. Creation of a parent center at the school.
9. Organize and schedule an annual open house.
10. Develop an ongoing partnership with the community.
The three collaboration strategies listed here are just a few of the many opportunities that school leadership can use to run an effective school.
