THE COUNSELOR AS CONSULTANT IN THE COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL

A collaborative work environment has been consistently cited as a char acteristic of schools that effectively respond to the diverse needs of students, Because of their role and related skills, counselors seem u niquely positioned to have a significant impact on the development or enhancement of team structures and staff relationships within a collab orative school. Educational collaboration and its relationship to scho ol consultation as a structured planning, decision-making, and problem -solving process is described. Characteristics of a collaborative scho ol and its organizational structures are identified. Roles and related skills the counselor can use in providing leadership in developing an d implementing collaborative teams in the school are articulated.