Building a Strong Special Education Department and Co-teaching Model
CLIENT:
Northwest Middle School
CHICAGO, IL
Fulcrum Education Solutions collaborated with Northwest Middle School and Principal Margaret Byrne to build a strong special education department and co-teaching model. The result: Math and Reading scores for students with IEPs grew exponentially.
The Challenge
“The school’s diverse learners weren’t growing,” Byrne explains, calling the difference between their growth and attainment and that of the rest of Northwest’s students “glaring.” A key reason, Byrne says: The special education department was not well-organized or prioritized. “The scheduling was goofy, and teachers weren’t supported or treated professionally in order to strengthen their work,” she adds, citing weak partnerships between co-teachers as one result of these shortcomings.
The Solution
Fulcrum started by introducing Principal Byrne to co-teaching models that could serve as a foundation for the school’s special education and general education teachers as they planned and executed instruction. “Co-teachers had to plan according to the model they selected and articulate how they would use the model in a lesson,” Principal Byrne says.
The Outcome
Reading scores increased from 4% in 2018-19 to 52 % proficient in 2019-20. Diverse Learner Math proficiency increased from 1% to 35%.
The work led to several big changes:
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Northwest’s strategic plan now includes six “specials” classes (e.g., art, gym) so departmental teachers, including the special education staff, can meet regularly.
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To the extent possible, special education teachers teach just one subject.
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As PD has progressed, elements of PD that Fulcrum introduced have persisted, from co-teachers eating lunch together to the common language and learning models used.
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Teams now lead some of the PD.
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Principal Byrne has introduced into ILT and other teacher team meetings, the PD components Fulcrum helped her develop.
Let’s do the intentional work.
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COPYRIGHT © 2022-2025. FULCRUM EDUCATION SOLUTIONS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.