Essential Question

Whose responsibility is it to ensure the learning of our special education students?

Background

In training to become a special education teacher, most schools teach the approach that all students are general education students first.  In most cases, a special education teacher's role is to support the student and the teacher.  Of course, this looks different for students with multiple needs who are in self-contained classrooms.  

Frustrations

The reality is, however, that when the rubber meets the road, the question quickly arises.  Who should take responsibility for these students?  Large classrooms, overflowing caseloads, paperwork, and all of the "extra" stuff is very overwhelming for both the general education and the special education teachers.  

Strategies

As school years approach, it is essential for teachers to sit together, have very honest conversations, make decisions, and then follow through with those decissions. 

Collaboration doesn't just happen at the begining of the year.  

It needs to happen all year long.