Collaborative Teams

Collaborative teams allow educators to work interdependently to study and communicate the impact of their teaching, using evidence of student progress to improve outcomes for all students. These teams set the stage for data inquiry, during which the focus shifts from how students work to how students think.

Learning Objectives

  • Educators collaboratively develop common purposes and goals for improved student outcomes within a culture that embraces continuous school improvement.
  • Educators intentionally collaborate about the most effective practices within the curriculum, instruction, assessment, and climate.
  • Educators effectively utilize team processes (agendas, minutes, dialogue and discussion, norms, logistics, consensus, roles, decision-making skills, and protocols).

Participant and Presenter Materials

Participant Materials

Participant Handouts

Listed below are handout packets that are valuable to all sections of the CT professional learning module as well as additional handouts specifically related to some of the sections.

pdf-icon CT Handouts Related to All Sections

pdf-icon CT Handouts for B-Agendas and Minutes

pdf-icon CT Handouts F-Collaborative Skills

pdf-icon CT Handouts G-Protocols

Pre/Post Educator-Learner Knowledge Checks

Pre and post-knowledge checks are a component of high-quality professional development. It is recommended that all consultants and other trainers/facilitators use them as they tailor their professional development for their audience. The pre/post knowledge check and the answer key are posted below for downloading and administering.

Word document icon Pre-Post Knowledge Check with Answer Key


Presenter/Consultant Materials

Presenter PowerPoints with Notes

PowerPoint files with detailed presenter notes are available for each learning package.

ppt icon A-Collaborative Teams Overview

ppt icon B-Agendas and Minutes

ppt icon C-Norms

ppt icon D-Roles

ppt icon E-Consensus

ppt icon F-Collaborative Skills

ppt icon G-Protocols

Implementation Supports

Word document icon Next Steps Action Plan

Word document icon Collaborative Teams Practice Profile

Word document icon A CT Overview Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon B CT Agendas and Minutes Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon C CT Norms Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon D CT Roles Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon E CT Consensus Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon F CT Collaborative Skills Content Fidelity Checklist

Word document icon G CT Protocols Content Fidelity Checklist

Additional Resources

link For useful materials on effective PD delivery, visit the helpful resources page.

Word document icon Collaborative Teams “Look-For” Tool aligned with Practice Profile

Word document icon References

Collaborative Teams Coaching Companion

Collaborative Teams (Formerly Collaborative Data Teams) professional learning module materials were originally rolled out for use in schools in the fall of 2013. In 2016 a workgroup of Consultants, State Implementation Specialists, and DESE volunteers met and revised the foundational professional learning modules. Updates to Collaborative Teams materials were finalized in July 2016. Core content from the original package was not changed during revision, however references, activities, and resources were updated.