NEW COURSE

 

Co-Teaching for Successful Inclusion

 

  In 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 continuing education units

 

Course Description:

All students need to have access to the general education curriculum and to be taught in the least restrictive environment with their peers. Co-Teaching blends the best teaching techniques of general and special education teachers into a unique learning experience that benefits every student in the classroom. Many school districts across the country are turning away from the standard pull-out model of special education services and are providing the services students need in the classroom with their peers. Many general education teachers are at a loss to help their struggling students that didn't quite meet the criteria for special education services. Co-Teaching is the solution! Students in your classroom will learn according to their unique learning styles and will have more opportunities to learn and practice skills, have more teacher contact time, become responsible and organized learners, increase their self-esteem and opportunities for success and benefit from the latest teaching techniques in the least restrictive environment. As a result, educators will see the academic gap between regular and special education students decrease and an increase in student responsibility and leadership in managing materials and taking ownership of their learning. Grades for all students will increase and the negative behaviors that result from academic struggles and lack of a personal relationship with teachers will decrease.         

 

Goals and Objectives

As a result of this participation in this course, students should:

 

1. Learn how to co-teach with general and

 special educators, understanding the

 strengths that each professional brings to

 the classroom and how to apply teaching

 strategies to meet national, state and

 Individualized Education Plan goals and

 standards. Teachers will observe successful

 co-teaching techniques in the DVD provided

 with the textbook.

 

 

2. Identify and solve concerns that general

 educators may have concerning special

 education students in their class (and vice

 versa), and how to share responsibility for

 student achievement. 3. Understand and

 apply formative and summative assessments

 and identify non-traditional ways in which to

 assess student learning in general and

 modified curricula.

 

4. Understand the differences between

 classroom accommodations and

 modifications, and how to best use them in

 the classroom to reach each student's

 academic potential. 

 

5. Create co-teaching lesson plans that

 incorporate instructional strategies

 appropriate for students from Kindergarten

 through High School.

 

6. Learn specific techniques such as cooperative

 and peer assisted learning communities,

 graphic organizers, study and test taking

 skills, self-advocacy and goal setting to

 improve student outcomes.

 

Texts/Readings

The required reading is found in the text listed below:

Potts, E. & Howard, L. (2011). How to Co-Teach: A Guide for General Special Educators. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.