It is generally accepted that general educators have expertise in content knowledge, while special educators possess expertise in strategy instruction for those students who learn differently. Co-teaching occurs when two or more professionals jointly deliver substantive instruction to a diverse, blended group of students in a single physical space (Friend & Cook, Interactions, 2010).

There are several models of co-teaching, each enhancing a particular type of activity. When planned thoughtfully and executed as intended, the models improve access to the curriculum and provide targeted instructional delivery. The Louisiana Department of Education, in collaboration with the Louisiana State Improvement Grant (LaSIG), has developed a Co-Teaching eGuide for the use of school and district level personnel to develop effective co-teaching and inclusive practices. The document is broken down into three sections: Planning, Implementation, and Results, with pertinent forms and resources included for each section. The materials included in each respective section may be modified to fit district and school needs. LA Co-teaching Resource Guide.

A three-part webinar series describing each section of Louisiana’s Co-Teaching Guide is available for districts, schools, teachers, and families to learn about best co-teaching practices and utilize the resources and handouts/forms linked within the document.  The webinar titles and links are listed below:

Part 1 Webinar—Planning -- Administrators, Teachers, and Stakeholders (approx. 40 mins.) Power point:--Part 1--Planning Power point

Part 2 Webinar--Implementation (5 Co-Teaching Approaches)  (approx. 50 mins.)  Power point: --Part 2--Implementation

Part 3 Webinar--Results/Effectiveness (approx. 25 mins.) Power point:  Part 3--Results

Use the guidelines in the Video Checklist to contribute a video clip of great Co-Planning, Co-Teaching, Assessing Results, or testimonials of benefits to kristina.braud@la.gov