Advantages of Co-Teaching

All students who are differently abled are entitled to a free and appropriate education (FAPE). This law is authorized under the individuals with disability education act (IDEA). Also, students should be cultivated in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Many parents would want their child’s least restrictive environment to be in the general education classroom, but the general education classroom is not always the best place for a special needs student to be placed. The student needs to placed in an environment that best fits his/her learning needs. Nevertheless, there is another strategy that teachers can use to create a better learning environment for students with special needs who are located in the general education classroom. That other source is co-teaching. According to Maryland Learning Links co-teaching is “An equal partnership between two teachers—a general educator and a special educator—who have equivalent levels of professional licensure. If teachers use the strategy of co-teaching, learning can be very effective for students with special needs.  

Some advantages of co-teaching are:

• Teachers have the opportunity to learn from each other’s knowledge.
• Special need students feel more comfortable around their peers. 
• Special needs students still receive attention. 

For more information on co-teaching and inclusion visit:

http://marylandlearninglinks.org/1006

http://disabilitynetwork.org/education/inclusion-for-special-education-students-advantages-and-benefits/