A Case Study on Co-teaching in a High-performing Urban High School in Southern California

A Case Study on Co-teaching in a High-performing Urban High School in Southern California
Author: Jean Natalie Hofland
Publisher:
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2020
Genre: Students with disabilities
ISBN:

The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) component of IDEIA 2004, NCLB requirements, and research indicating increased achievement for students with disabilities in the general education environment, have led to the inclusion of students with disabilities into the general education classroom and the use of co-teaching model is increasing throughout the United States. Research indicates that, for inclusion to be successful, administrators and general education teachers need to receive adequate training in special education, supports, and resources to implement successful integration and inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education setting (Ainscow, 2000; Burton & Pace, 2009; Cox, 2008; Praisner, 2003; Villa, Thousand, Meyers, & Nevin, 1996). Co- teaching has shown to be an effective model of inclusion that can support the requirements of NCLB and IDEIA (Bryant-Davis, Dieker, Pearl, & Kirkpatrick, 2012; Friend, 2008; Villa et al., 1996). The purpose of this single case study was to determine the fundamental attitudes, practices, relationships, structures, programs, and supports that contribute to successful co-teaching partnerships in a high school setting. This study used a survey, classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews to gather data to determine what characteristics contribute to successful co-teaching. This case study utilized purposeful case sampling. Participants were chosen from one of the highest performing high schools in a large urban school district in Southern California. The research showed that small schools that incorporate small group work with consistently scheduled meetings for collaboration foster community and contributes to the success of co-teaching. Curriculum that lends itself to small group work is a factor in successful co-teaching. Additionally, having adequate materials, supplies, and access to the latest technology supports successful co-teaching program. Furthermore, special educators staying with students for 4 years was found to be beneficial for both general and special education students and co-teaching partnerships. Experience and time in a co-teaching partnership was shown to be a factor in the success of the co-teaching model. Overall, the co-teachers attitudes were positive and the research showed that all of the teachers worked well together, had respect for the special educators, and all but one felt that co-teaching had improved their teaching practice. Respect and trust were shown to be the most important aspects for a successful co-teaching partnership. Similar to the research for the past 40 years, all the co-teachers requested more training on co-teaching and the general educators wanted more training on special education strategies and co-teaching.

Interdisciplinary Teams and Themes

Interdisciplinary Teams and Themes
Author: Sharlene Moss
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2021
Genre:
ISBN:

Interdisciplinary teams and themes: A grounded theory case study on the humanitas model in urban high school settings Among an array of programs or pathways offered in secondary education, including interdisciplinary programs in STEAM, STEM, and VAPA, the adoption of one particular high school program has focused on teacher practice and curriculum development. The Humanitas model, which originated in the early 1990s, offers a program where students and teachers are put on teams and tracked to follow student academic growth and development of teacher practice. This qualitative, grounded-theory case study aims to explore how collaboration in interdisciplinary programs shapes teacher practice, curriculum, and instruction. This study looks at two high schools that are currently implementing the Humanitas teaching model. Through the interviews of on-site teachers, administrators, and counselors involved in the Humanitas program, this study aims to uncover how participation in this program shapes how teachers do their work. From data analysis, five themes emerged: (a) curriculum ownership, relevance, and academic freedom from the perspective of the participants; (b) teacher perceptions and their identity; (c) the team dynamic within the interdisciplinary Humanitas Model; (d) the professional roles on the team and how to navigate the various emotions, egos, and feelings on that team; and (e) communication with all stakeholders in order to create a balance within the program. Recommendations focus on continuing to research in the field of the Humanitas Model, expanding Humanitas education at more school sites to consider how other schools can promote social justice and adopt dimensions of the Humanitas program, ensuring that there is common planning time in order to have conversations to work on curriculum and instruction for the interdisciplinary-thematic part of program, and promoting team teaching across disciplines for heightened collaboration.

The Effects and Impact of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teacher Practices and Efficacy

The Effects and Impact of Interdisciplinary Teaming on Teacher Practices and Efficacy
Author: Lisa Depaola
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre:
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and impact of interdisciplinary teaming on teacher practices and efficacy. This study revealed the perspectives of eight 7th and 8th grade teachers, who teach one of the core disciplines (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) and the school principal by interviewing them for this case study in an Essential Elements School-to-Watch in Nassau County, New York. It included perceptions from the other 7th and 8th grade teachers on interdisciplinary teams through focus groups and observations during team meetings. Document analysis was performed on artifacts that were collected during the observations. Data were triangulated in order to reveal emerging and prevalent themes regarding the perceptions of teachers about interdisciplinary teaming. There is a need to explore effective interdisciplinary teaming and its effect and impact on teaching practices and teacher efficacy in a middle school environment. Proponents suggest that teachers on interdisciplinary teams in middle schools will have a strong sense of belonging and that their teaching practices will be changed and influenced by each other. In addition, teachers and students feel part of this small community team, which will lead to success for both groups. The National Forum, National Association of Middle Schools, and Essential Elements Schools-to-Watch believe that interdisciplinary teaming is a middle school best practice. Therefore, this study explored the impact of different factors that contribute to a successful interdisciplinary team that emerge through the teachers' perceptions regarding practices and efficacy.

Visionary Middle Schools

Visionary Middle Schools
Author: Catherine Cobb Morocco
Publisher: Teachers College Press
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9780807746639

Take an up-close look at inclusive urban schools that work. This important new book addresses head-on the critical national concern of educating an ever-more diverse student population. Visionary Middle Schools describes how three schools developed unique local solutions that were responsive to their particular students, to their cultures, and to their district and state mandates. Each school is organized around a different school-wide instructional practice, a "signature practice" that reflects that school's particular beliefs about learning. Despite obstacles such as poverty, low English-language proficiency, and new immigrant status, each of these schools is the strongest performing in their respective districts and presents approaches and lessons of relevance to urban schools across the country.

The Multiracial Urban High School

The Multiracial Urban High School
Author: S. Rosenbloom
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2010-11-22
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0230114733

From 1996-2000, thirty minority teenagers (African American, Chinese American, Puerto Rican American, and Dominican American) were interviewed every year for four years to investigate how their experiences in high school shaped their social relationships.

Collaboration and Co-teaching in High School English

Collaboration and Co-teaching in High School English
Author: Meredith McClarnon
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021
Genre: Children with disabilities
ISBN:

Co-teaching is now the most popular instructional approach to serve students with disabilities in the general education environment throughout the United States (Chitiyo, 2017; Murawski & Lochner, 2011; Nierengarten, 2013). However, there is not consistent evidence that proves that co-teaching, as applied currently, will result in measurable academic benefit for students with disabilities in the high school setting (Friend, Cook, et al., 2010; Packard et al., 2011; Van Garderen et al., 2012). This is partially because extensive and ongoing research has not been completed at the secondary level, particularly high school (Chitiyo, 2017; Friend, Cook, et al., 2010; Packard et al., 2011. Further, the implementation of co-teaching varies from school to school (Chitiyo, 2017; Kilanowski-Press et al., 2010). Scholars suggest that the configuration of secondary schools in the United States, especially high schools, makes co-teaching far more difficult to implement than in elementary levels (Friend, Cook, et al., 2010; Isherwood, Barger-Anderson & Erickson, 2013; Packard et al., 2011). Due to the gaps and discrepancies in the literature, scholars recommend more research on co-teaching in the secondary school setting (Nierengarten, 2013; Shamberger et al., 2013; Van Garderen et al., 2012). Additionally, researchers advocate for further investigation into the conditions that are necessary for co-teaching to work consistently across school contexts (Chitiyo, 2017; Friend, Cook, et al., 2010; Kilanowski-Press et al., 2010; Nierengarten, 2013). While structures for co-teaching have been discussed, there is a lack of inquiry into how different factors impact the implementation of co-teaching partner relationships and how that in turn affects the approach teachers take towards co-teaching in high school (Chitiyo, 2017; Friend, Cook, et al., 2010; Packard et al., 2011).