Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Educational Studies

First Advisor

Linda Silvernail

Abstract

Co-teaching is a method of instruction that utilizes the professional knowledge of general education and special education teachers to best meet the needs of all students in the classroom. At Northwood High School (NHS), the co-teachers have received piecemeal professional development on co-teaching. This mixed-methods action research study seeks to determine the comfort and knowledge levels of the NHS co-teachers and provide the co-teachers with co-teaching professional development that is tailored to meet their needs. The theories of collaborative learning and learner-centered were used to provide a structure from which to conduct the research. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using pre- and post-co-teaching surveys along with field notes collected during the professional learning community (PLC) professional development meetings. During data analysis themes that developed was the comfort of the co-teachers, the knowledge of the co-teachers, and the frustration of the co-teachers. Overall, the results of this mixed-methods action research study showed that professional development for co-teachers and administrative support for co-teaching is vital for a successful co-teaching program.

Rights

© 2022, John Kegan Flynn

Share

COinS