What is co-teaching in special education?

Co-teaching in special education is defined as a collaborative model where a general education teacher and a special education teacher work together to share responsibilities for the education and learning of all students in the classroom, particularly those with special needs. This approach allows for diverse instructional strategies, facilitating better access to the curriculum for students with varying abilities. By collaborating, these educators can offer differentiated instruction, support individualized learning plans, and create an inclusive classroom environment. This method emphasizes teamwork and shared accountability, benefiting not only the students receiving special education services but also the entire class.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of co-teaching. For example, having one teacher teach while another observes does not promote the shared responsibility or collaborative teaching approach inherent in co-teaching; it suggests a more traditional teaching model. Teaching students separately undermines the inclusive nature of co-teaching, which aims to integrate learners with and without disabilities. Lastly, the idea of a technique for teaching large groups of students fails to convey the tailored support and partnership that co-teaching entails, which is primarily focused on individual student needs and collaboration rather than merely managing a large classroom setting.