coteaching

Co-teaching is a collaborative instructional approach in which two or more teachers share responsibility for planning, delivering, and assessing instruction to a single group of students, commonly in inclusive classrooms that include students with disabilities. It promotes shared professional responsibility and aims to provide differentiated and equitable access to the curriculum.

The concept grew from inclusive education and collaborative teaching research in special education. Pioneering work by researchers like Friend and Cook in the 1990s formalized co-teaching models and implementation considerations, and it has since become a common method in K-12 education.

Core models include: One Teach, One Observe; One Teach, One Assist; Station Teaching; Parallel Teaching; Alternative Teaching; Team Teaching. In One Teach, One Observe, one teacher leads while the other gathers observations; In One Teach, One Assist, the second circulates to support students. Station Teaching rotates small groups through different activities; Parallel Teaching has two teachers delivering the same content to two groups; Alternative Teaching uses a small group for targeted instruction; Team Teaching involves co-leading and sharing instruction.

Benefits include increased access to instruction, opportunities for differentiation, enhanced collaboration among teachers, and improved engagement and social outcomes for students with disabilities. Co-teaching can also reduce stigma by integrating students into general education settings.

Challenges include the need for substantial planning time, clear role definitions, aligned goals, ongoing communication, scheduling constraints, and the requirement for professional development to build collaboration skills. Effective implementation often depends on strong school leadership and a culture that supports shared decision-making.