By: Talia Berman
Link for Article: http://mdcoastdispatch.com/2014/06/19/co-teaching-concept-featured-in-special-ed-plan/
In the attached article, the author explains the concept of co-teaching in special education and why it is important for the development of children with disabilities. Since the Common Core Curriculum was established, schools across the country have been combining general education and special education in classrooms. Educators believe that children with or without disabilities need to achieve at the same level before leaving high school in order to be prepared for the “real world.” To accomplish this, schools have decided to ‘co-teach,’ meaning that they have one special education teacher and one general education teacher in one room at the same time. According to the article, having two specialists will encourage success for students with and without disabilities.
I found this article interesting because it seems to be very controversial. The educators speaking in the article make it seem as if this type of teaching will be a piece of cake, but I believe it can pose a variety of problems. Although it is important to ensure that children with disabilities are socialized the same way as children without disabilities, the mental age level and differences in educational level can create major conflict between students and educators. I believe it shouldn’t be a set procedure in schools to co-teach, but that parents should be able to make that decision themselves regarding their child specifically.
Co-teaching was not an option in my middle and high school, but children with disabilities were integrated into extracurricular activities and recess. I found this successful to make sure children with disabilities were provided integrated classroom experiences and socialization activities with their peers, while also getting the appropriate education for their level of disability. This also gave children without disabilities the opportunity to see children with disabilities the same as themselves and help provide them with a good middle and high school experience. Not having co-teaching, but having integrated extracurricular activities was extremely successful and made students without disabilities more accepting and helpful with children with disabilities.
Co-teaching may be beneficial on some levels, but I believe that it shouldn’t be a set program in schools and something the parent, educators, other professionals, and student decide on together. The education discrepancies could provide the students with a lot of challenges and overwhelm all children. Instead of having educational co-teaching, I think that providing integrated extracurricular activities and recess will push students with and without disabilities in the right direction to success.
I found this article interesting because it seems to be very controversial. The educators speaking in the article make it seem as if this type of teaching will be a piece of cake, but I believe it can pose a variety of problems. Although it is important to ensure that children with disabilities are socialized the same way as children without disabilities, the mental age level and differences in educational level can create major conflict between students and educators. I believe it shouldn’t be a set procedure in schools to co-teach, but that parents should be able to make that decision themselves regarding their child specifically.
Co-teaching was not an option in my middle and high school, but children with disabilities were integrated into extracurricular activities and recess. I found this successful to make sure children with disabilities were provided integrated classroom experiences and socialization activities with their peers, while also getting the appropriate education for their level of disability. This also gave children without disabilities the opportunity to see children with disabilities the same as themselves and help provide them with a good middle and high school experience. Not having co-teaching, but having integrated extracurricular activities was extremely successful and made students without disabilities more accepting and helpful with children with disabilities.
Co-teaching may be beneficial on some levels, but I believe that it shouldn’t be a set program in schools and something the parent, educators, other professionals, and student decide on together. The education discrepancies could provide the students with a lot of challenges and overwhelm all children. Instead of having educational co-teaching, I think that providing integrated extracurricular activities and recess will push students with and without disabilities in the right direction to success.