CREATINGEFFECTIVE COALITIONS JERRY HIME CALIFORNIA CAN COORDINATOR

CEC National Legislative Conference ▪ June 7, 2014

What is a coalition?

have a stated or similar position share a mutual concern are interested in working together toward an

action-oriented goal can be individuals or organizations combine efforts, resources, and skills may be permanent, ongoing, or temporary may be disbanded once goals reached or

abandoned 

What are the characteristics of an effective coalition member?

willing and able to give the time required

reflect self-confidence believe in the tasks at hand project positive attitudes demonstrate effective

communication skills be open-minded rather than

judgmental work well under pressure refrain from arguing with adversaries willing to share personal expertise appreciate the talents of other

members

What are the advantages of belonging to a coalition?

create clout build ongoing power base maximize number of people and organizations

to advocate share information coordinate strategies divide up the labor pool resources share different points of view to solve

problems safety in numbers

What are the chief obstacles in developing a coalition?

takes commitment turf issues and hidden agendas conflicts due to main issue

inconsistent with a member’s agenda

effort to reach consensus slows process

need procedures to resolve differences

What are the key steps in creating an effective coalition?

determine who can help develop structure and rules build capacity for planning and

action set strategies evaluate

What are the key skills to needed to lead a successful coalition?

leadership facilitation communication

and internet media funding and

resource development

What makes the coalition successful?

establishing a process to identify mutual goals

ensuring that each group maintains own identity and autonomy

understanding that total consensus in every area is not a requirement

recognizing that internal group conflict is inevitable

What makes the coalition successful?

striking a balance of an atmosphere of openness, a sense of inclusiveness, equal participation, and preventing one group’s domination over another

accepting and dealing with differences in values, attitudes, and styles of communication

realizing that appropriate negotiating and bargaining are basic to success

TIPS FOR SUCCESS plan for meetings and discussions be sure everyone understands what

each organization represents and the purpose for the proposed coalition

encourage each organization to share goals and philosophy, and its capabilities for assuming fair share of workload

jointly prepare an “action plan”

COALITION LEADERS SHOULD

keep a low profile and recognize needs and resources of participants

analyze and appreciate difference personality types and leadership styles

help discourage divisive competition and instead encourage creative competition and collaboration

sustain the spirit of members by keeping interest high during periods when “nothing is happening”

help group determine the organizational style most comfortable and best suited for achieving purpose set forth

KEY COMPONENTS  COOPERATION

COLLABORATION  CONSIDERATION 

THE CALIFORNIA COALITIONCALIFORNIA STATEWIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE 

Established November 2013 at request of State Board of Education and Commission on Teacher Credentialing

  Purpose: to examine California’s complex systems for serving students

with disabilities  33 members including school and district administrators, parents,

teachers, university professors, members of the policy community, and other groups

  Funded by the Schwab Foundation and the Stuart Foundation  

QUESTIONS  What should be the state’s vision/mission for students with disabilities?

With the implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS), how do we ensure access to and success in the CCSS and other core academic subjects for students with disabilities?

  What types of changes in teacher preparation and credentialing are

necessary to ensure all teachers are prepared to meet the array of learning needs of their students in the LRE.

  How should special education services be funded and organized?  What are current policy barriers to implementation of multi-tiered

systems of support (MTSS), response to intervention (RTI), response to instruction and intervention (RTII) and other inclusive and effective school practices

The Year’s Calendar December 17, 2013 - Full Task Force

Meeting, San Mateo County Office of Education, Redwood City, CA 94065

  February 10, 2014 - Public Forum,

Southwest SELPA Auditorium, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

  March 3, 2014 - Public Forum, San Mateo

County Office of Education, Redwood City, CA 94065

  March 17, 2014 - Full Task Force Meeting,

California School for the Deaf, Riverside, CA 92506

  March 17, 2014 - Public Forum, California

School for the Deaf  March 18, 2014 - Public Forum, California

School for the Deaf 

March 18, 2014 - Public Forum, San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego, CA 92111

March 19, 2014 - Public Forum, San Diego County Office of Education

March 20, 2014 - Public Forum, California Department of Education, State Board of Education Hearing Room, Sacramento, CA 95814

May 5 – Full Task Force Meeting, Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Sacramento, CA.

Sept. 30 – Full Task Force Meeting, State Board of Education Hearing Room, Sacramento, CA.

Oct. 28 – Full Task Force Meeting, State Board of Education Hearing Room, Sacramento, CA.

Final report to State Board of Education in November

Thank You!

Jerry HimeCEC CAN Coordinator, California

gjhime@earthlink.net