Traits of Highly Effective Schools: #5

Elaine K. McEwan writes a book about the qualities and unique characteristics of school that help students get the "Best Education Possible". Each chapter offers research-based trait and examines its impact on student achievement. Trait # 5 is Collaboration.

Collaboration is powerful when accomplish, but is a challenging one, calling for a variety of talents, essential when different points of view and thinking styles are needed to accomplish a task. In a highly effective school, all members in the community are responsible for teaching others and for learning themselves.

Benefits of Collaboration

1. Reduction of isolation of teachers

2. Increased commitment to the mission and goals of the school

3. Shared responsibility for the total development of students

4. Powerful learning that defines good teaching and classroom practices

5. Increase meaning and understanding of the content that teachers teach

6. Higher likelihood that teachers will be well informed

7. More satisfaction, higher morale, and lower rates of absenteeism

8. Significant advances in adapting teaching to the students, accomphished more quickly that in traditional schools

9. Commitment to making significant and lasting changes

10. Higher likelihood of understanding fundamental systemic change