Transcript The Ins, Outs of Co-Teaching – An Overview

The Ins, Outs of CoTeaching – An
Overview
Division of Special Education Services
Elementary Campus Coordinators
What is Co-Teaching?
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Co teaching occurs when two or more educators provide
instruction to students with varying abilities in the same
physical area.
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The professionals are partners in the education process
and actively and jointly plan and implement curriculum.
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The educators share their expertise and knowledge to
provide a rich experience for all students.
Rationales for the Use of Co-Teaching
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Increase instructional options for all students – means
of bringing the strengths of two teachers together to
enhance learning for all students
Improve program intensity and continuity – students
receive more instruction, fragmentation that occurs with
pullouts is avoided, generalization of skills is enhanced
Reduce the stigma for all students – reduces the
negative connotations attributed to special education
Increase professional support – Teachers help each
other clarify partner presentations, and gauge students
needs at particular portions of the curriculum
Five Models of Co-Teaching
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Complimentary Instruction - one teacher assumes the role of lead
teacher and the other circulates the room, observes and provides
assistance as necessary; roles should be rotated
Station Teaching – instruction is divided into two or three parts and
each teacher presents a lesson in one station through which students
rotate
Parallel Teaching – Both teachers present the same content to half of
the class simultaneously
Alternate teaching – one teacher instructs a small group of students
apart form the rest of the class either for enrichment, re-teach, preteaching, or make up material; heterogeneous grouping should be
maintained
Team Teaching – both teachers simultaneously share the direct
instruction of the content
Do’s of Co-Teaching
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Do discuss routine matters, such as discipline, classroom
management, and expectations for all students
Do allow time for reflection and reevaluation of the coteaching
Do discuss modifications that may be necessary for
students with special needs
Do pay attention to the details of sharing space.
Do plan together regularly.
Don'ts of Co-Teaching
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Don’t regard co teaching as an add-on
service. It should replace pull-out service.
Don’t expect the special educator to work
only with students identified as special
education.
Don’t use a single model of co-teaching.
Conclusion
Co-teaching provides a framework
through which the general and
special educator can implement
success for a diverse classroom of
students.
References
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Cook, L. & Friend, M. - Co teaching : What’s it all
about?
Dettmer, P. Thurston, L.P. & Dyck, N. – Consultation ,
collaboration and teamwork: for students with special
needs
Thousand, J.S., & Villa, R.A. – Sharing expertise and
responsibilities through teaching teams