Special Education and Regular Education: Working Together

Summary

The video script discusses the benefits of co-teaching in an inclusive classroom setting, where specialists collaborate with classroom teachers to support students with diverse needs. It highlights the positive impact on student behavior and learning, the reduction of labeling, and the increase in student engagement and success. Teachers appreciate the shared responsibility, the opportunity to learn from each other's teaching methods, and the ability to provide individualized support within the regular classroom environment.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Co-teaching is a classroom approach where specialists collaborate with the main teacher to provide comprehensive support to students.
• 👩‍🏫 Specialists such as LIA, ELL, and SPED teachers work within the classroom to ensure all students receive tailored assistance.
• 📚 The co-teaching model fosters a unified teaching approach, with all educators being on the same page regarding the curriculum and student needs.
• 🔗 Collaboration is enhanced through shared documents like Google Docs, where teachers can coordinate and monitor student progress.
• 📉 Co-teaching reduces disruptive transitions, leading to increased learning opportunities and improved classroom behavior management.
• 👥 The presence of multiple educators allows for more individualized attention and support for students.
• 📈 Teachers observe improved student outcomes, with increased passing rates in subjects where students previously struggled.
• 🤝 Co-teaching builds camaraderie among educators, leading to a more cohesive and effective teaching team.
• 🧩 Flexible grouping within co-teaching enables students to receive additional support as needed, without feeling singled out.
• 🏆 The co-teaching model enhances student confidence and belonging, as they are integrated with their peers and not labeled or separated.

Q & A

What is co-teaching and how does it work at Hawthorne?

Co-teaching at Hawthorne involves specialists such as LIA, ELL, and SPED teachers coming into the classroom to work with students alongside the main teacher, keeping all students in the same classroom and fostering collaboration among educators.

What are the benefits of co-teaching mentioned in the script?

The benefits of co-teaching include all educators being on the same page, better collaboration, decreased student behavior issues due to fewer transitions, increased learning opportunities, and more eyes on the students.

How does co-teaching support students with reading or writing disabilities?

Co-teaching supports students with reading or writing disabilities by having specialized teachers work closely with them in the classroom, ensuring their accommodations are in place, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

What role does the special education teacher play in a co-taught math class?

In a co-taught math class, the special education teacher works alongside the core math teacher to reach students who struggle with math, helping to adapt the material to their level and ensuring they are not excluded from their peers.

How does co-teaching impact the student's experience and confidence?

Co-teaching can rebuild relationships and confidence for students, making them feel like they are part of the class and not singled out due to their learning needs.

What is the advantage of having a special ed background in a co-taught classroom?

Having a special ed background in a co-taught classroom allows the teacher to bring in specialized strategies and knowledge to better support all students, including those with accommodations.

How does flexible grouping benefit students in a co-taught setting?

Flexible grouping in co-taught settings allows for the inclusion of students who may need additional support, whether or not they are on an IEP, and enables educators to work together to fulfill the required hours of support.

How does co-teaching help with student passing rates?

Co-teaching helps with student passing rates by allowing for more individualized attention and support, catching students before they fall too far behind, and providing them with the necessary skills and confidence.

What is the impact of co-teaching on the regular education students?

Co-teaching can benefit regular education students by providing them with additional support when needed, and allowing them to learn from a variety of teaching styles and perspectives.

How does co-teaching affect the perception of special education within the school?

Co-teaching can change the perception of special education within a school by fostering understanding and collaboration between departments, showing that special ed teachers are there to help all students, not just those with disabilities.

What advice does LeeAnna give for successful co-teaching?

LeeAnna advises having a growth mindset and being open to trying co-teaching, as it can be overwhelming at first but ultimately leads to positive outcomes for student growth and achievement.