The document begins, by discussing the common responses that can occur when conflict first happens. Common responses that occur with conflict can range from avoidance, to confrontation, or to acquiescence (giving in). While each of these can have negative impacts when conflict arises, sometimes they can also have certain beneficial circumstances to effective conflict resolution. While there are many factors that may contribute to conflicts arising between parties, it is important to recognize the warning signs when they first appear. There can be numerous warning signs that a conflict could arise, and from what I read from this document, they are all rooted in the same principle: a broken line or breakdown in communication.
Shared Solutions promotes a "Culture of Collaboration" between educator, student, and parent, that is rooted in effective communication. Effective communication can be promoted by ensuring that frequent messaging occurs between school and parent. Educators can promote effective messaging by providing information about special education programs and services, partaking in training and P.D. to strengthen communication skills, and school boards developing effective communication guidelines for schools to follow. The document continues on discussing effective strategies and techniques for dealing with effective conflict prevention and resolution.
Currently, I am finishing up Parent-Student-Teacher conferences within my classroom. While I find these interviews to be very informative and productive for all parties involved, I always find that I am referring back to two key elements within my educational practice: 1. What is the best means of communication between teacher and parent? 2. How can parents best support their child's educational development at home?
Communication in today's day and age is very easy to do. Ten years ago, the agenda was the key source of communication between parents, students, and teachers. Homework, notes, events, and special days could be recorded, shared, and checked daily. Additional information or answers to questions could be shared through phone calls or interview requests. Today, email, the internet, websites, blogs, and social media accounts have made the sharing of information not only easier to do, but has made it more of a two way street. Educators can share information through their chosen outlets of information and communication technology, and parents can respond more easily with questions, comments, and information about their child and concerns with their child. Furthermore, questions of supporting children at home can be better defined through helpful notes, tips, and links provided through communication and internet outputs.
Effective use of communication technologies is a reliable and easy means for educators to keep the lines of communication open between teachers, students, and parents. This will result in less conflicts occurring in the classroom, regarding students progress and special needs. While Shared Solutions is targeted more for students with special educational needs and how to deal with conflict that may arise throughout the identification process, I feel its lessons in communication and conflict handling can be applied more to all students, parents, and educators. However, even with greater resources at our disposal in communication and technology, conflicts are still bound to occur. Having the Shared Solutions document, is a great resource to fall back on, in such a situation.
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