The conclusion of one research study about collaboration among counselors, counseling students, and university faculty captured quite well the importance and positive implications of collaboration (Dimmitt, 2003):
"The collaborative research process helped to foster a culture of inquiry in both the school counseling partnership and the larger school context. When the goal is generating information, people become interested in asking questions and less invested in their own answers. It is easier to challenge assumptions in such a culture, and counselors are a powerful voice in this context. In order to efficiently and effectively gather data and disseminate the findings we also needed extensive collaboration among counselors, Administrators, and university faculty. For this process to work well, we had to have ongoing communication about needs and expectations as well as the implicit assumption that we all are working to make our schools the best they can be for the students in them. Working together on this project allowed all the constituents to develop new perspectives on what is occurring in the school. Administrators gained greater understanding of the partnership's goal of advocating for academic success for all students. Counselors gained knowledge about the process of data-gathering. Counselor educators gained greater understanding of the challenges of creating change in schools."
"One of the most important outcomes of this research collaboration has been the increased support and excitement on the part of the school board and Administrators at all levels about gathering student achievement data. The high school Administrators want to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and the elementary and middle school administrators want to gather data about initial identification of student difficulties and early intervention efforts." (p. 348)
Current and emerging technology can make the collaboration process more effective, efficient, and enjoyable. As a result, students stand to gain in the form of greater academic achievement, enhanced responsibility, and advanced citizenship. By using technology, school counselors and administrators can work more closely together to advance the educational mission without historical barriers of space, pace, and time.
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