Accountability in Collaboration: A Framework for Evaluation

Abstract

Accountability is perhaps the most significant issue facing educators today. How can school professionals document that their work results in significant positive outcomes? This issue is especially critical to the many special and general educators moving into collaborative partnerships, given the dramatic shifts in their professional roles inherent in this move. A 2 × 2 “Collaboration Evaluation Matrix” outlines two basic types of information (objective and subjective) and two basic dimensions of any program (processes and outcomes) that might be considered in evaluation of collaboration. Multiple data sources enhance validity and utility of these evaluation efforts.