Teamwork Among Teachers

Abstract

This paper reviews the knowledge base on teamwork among teachers as expressed through Teacher Assistance Teams (TATS) operating in public school settings. The authors describe a range of prereferral intervention models and highlight the importance of collaboration and collegiality in effective TAT functioning. The paper presents a statewide model currently being tested in Kentucky to establish and maintain effective Teacher Assistance Teams for serving pupils placed at risk for school failure. This model, which is designed to provide maximum flexibility in the areas of team membership, targeted student populations, and team functioning within a variery of school ecologies, is described in terms of its most salient characteristics and primary funcoons. The paper concludes with a call for need research on the membership, dynamics, effectiveness and acceptance of teacher dominated TATS.