At Goalbook, we know that great instruction and effective IEP development don’t happen in isolation. Teachers, specialists, and service providers bring unique expertise to the table, and when they work together, students benefit. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Library Collaboration: Add Contributors, the newest feature in the Goalbook Toolkit Library.
This initial release will allow users to add contributors to student folders. A folder owner can now invite colleagues with Toolkit licenses within their organization to contribute directly to a shared student folder. Contributors can add Goals, Strategies, and Resources. This gives teams one central place to build a repository of student-specific resources together in real time.
Why Add Contributors?
Until now, educators could share a view-only folder links to caregivers and colleagues without licenses. This had value because teams could keep the IEP team in the loop by giving them read-only access. But it also came with limits:
- Teammates who wanted to add content had to copy the folder, creating multiple versions.
- Specialists lacked a clear way to add their expertise without duplicating effort.
- Teams often found it difficult to stay aligned on which folder was current.
Library Collaboration addresses these challenges by allowing folder owners to invite teammates to participate directly without losing clarity on ownership and version control.
What Can Contributors Do?
The initial rollout of Library Collaboration introduces two distinct roles in the Library:
- Owners: Can invite Contributors, edit and remove content, and manage folder access.
- Contributors: Can add Goals, Strategies, and Resources to the folder. They can also remove themselves from a folder if needed.
It’s important to note that Contributors cannot yet edit or customize resources added by others, nor can they invite additional contributors. Our product team is already working on expanding what it will mean for contributors to edit in the future.
How It Works
Adding a Contributor is designed to feel intuitive and familiar.
- From the Library, select a folder’s options menu and choose “Share.”
- Select “Add Contributor.”
- Enter the email address of a colleague within your district. If they have a Toolkit license, their name will appear.
- The Contributor receives an email with a direct link to the folder.
Once added, all members will immediately see real-time updates, ensuring teams are always working from the same version of a folder.
Why It Matters
We designed Library Collaboration with IEP teams in mind. This feature strengthens teamwork by making it easier to align on goals, strategies, and resources. Common use cases include:
- Case managers inviting specialists (like RSPs or resource teachers) to add goals or recommend baselines.
- Coaches and specialists guiding teachers by adding strategies or resources that support instruction.
- Case managers curating resources (such as PMAs) and ensuring the team works from one shared folder.
The result is fewer duplicates, less confusion, and a stronger foundation for collaboration. Educators can:
- Co-curate resources that reflect the needs of a student.
- Build progress monitoring collections together.
- Ensure IEP goals and strategies reflect the collective expertise of the team.
Looking Ahead
Library Collaboration: Add Contributors is just the beginning of how we’re reimagining the Toolkit Library. In the months ahead, we’ll continue building on this foundation with new features that make it easier for teams to share, contribute, and stay aligned.
This release marks an important milestone: transforming the Library into a truly shared space where educators can build stronger IEPs, together.
