Federally-funded project Hands-on science classrooms
Full Option Science System
Standard Score Gains (in terms of actual point gains) for Groups - ITBS Science Cotaught - LDCotaught - Other disabilities Cotaught - non disability Solo-taught LD Solo-taught Other disabilities Solo-taught Non disability
Offers students with IEPs access to gen ed curriculum ( IDEA & NCLB ) Provides non-segregated service delivery (IDEA) Provides a content expert and instructional expert to students Provides opportunity for higher achievement
Major IDEA Principles Access to general education curriculum Learning in least restrictive environments Adjustments to support learning
Research findings not favorable to self-contained classes Regular Education Initiative (federal push for increased mainstreaming) Emergence of co-teaching as viable option
GEN ED TEACHER Content Specialist Subject Expertise Curricular Expertise Big Picture Perspective SPECIAL ED TEACHER Instructional Specialist Learning/Teaching Expertise Knowledge of Disability Individual Perspective
Co-teaching is perceived as a successful approach by most teachers and students. Benefits to teachers Academic benefits to Ss w/IEPs Social benefits for ALL Ss (Scruggs, Mastropieri, & McDuff, 2007).
Higher quality of science instruction in gen ed setting More opportunities for learning with 2 teachers and helpful gen ed students
Role Assignment Lead Assist Communicate Materials
BUT teachers expressed frustration about… Lack of administrative support Lack of training Lack of shared planning time Lack of voluntary commitment (Scruggs, Mastropieri, & McDuff, 2007).
Research on student performance in co-taught classes is sparse, diverse; Findings vary; Meta-analysis shows small positive effect. (Murawski & Swanson, 2001)
Get to know each other. Engage in professional development. Talk about curriculum, discipline, roles. Include planning time in schedule. Plan ahead. Vary co-teaching models. Use inclusive strategies.
Co-teaching is … when a general ed content teacher and a special ed teacher cooperate in the same class to provide instruction to ALL students.
One Teach - One Support Station Teaching Alternative Teaching Parallel Teaching Team Teaching