# Strategic Co-Teaching in Your School

## Using the Co-Design Model

### About the Authors

**Robert S. Isherwood, Ed.D.**  
**Joseph Merhaut, Ed.D.**  
Slippery Rock University

### Foreword

Public education in America has evolved rapidly since 2001, the year that marked the passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 (PL 107-110). This legislation has transformed public education faster than any other reform movement. Many schools currently have self-contained classrooms, but the atmosphere is characterized by flexibility and inclusiveness. The collaborative team approach and specific pull-out classes have significantly improved education for students with special needs.

### Preface

The purpose of this manual is to promote collaborative, research-based practices via the Co-Design Model. The Co-Design Model may be implemented in various educational settings, ensuring all learners benefit from inclusive practices. The model is composed of nine essential elements:
1. Leadership
2. Assembly of site
3. Curriculum knowledge
4. Co-instruction
5. Classroom management
6. Adaptations, accommodations, and modifications
7. Assessment
8. Personality types
9. Co-design time

### I. Foundation
#### 1. Brief Overview of Special Education
   - Special needs and inclusion approaches have evolved, highlighting the necessity of collaborative models.

#### 2. The Legal System’s Impact on Inclusion
   - Legal frameworks ensuring the rights of students with disabilities to be educated within general education settings.

### II. The Co-Design Model for Collaborative Instruction
#### 3. Explanation of the Model
   - Collaboration is crucial for improving instruction. Effective collaboration requires mutual respect, trust, and open communication.
   - **The Nine Elements of the Co-Design Model**
   1. **Leadership**: Essential for fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
   2. **Assembly of site**: Organization of physical components to create a collaborative atmosphere.
   3. **Curriculum Knowledge**: Recognizing and respecting each teacher's expertise.
   4. **Co-Instruction**: Sharing responsibilities for all aspects of instructional practices.
   5. **Classroom Management**: Establishing common rules and routines to manage a shared classroom effectively.
   6. **Adaptations, Accommodations, and Modifications**: Ensuring all students can access the curriculum based on their individual needs.
   7. **Assessment**: Using both formative and summative assessments to guide instruction.
   8. **Personality Types**: Understanding the dynamics of teacher partnerships through personality assessments.
   9. **Co-Design Time**: Facilitating time for collaborative planning.

### III. Conclusion
- The Co-Design Model offers a research-based approach that helps schools meet the needs of all students, ensuring that educational practices are inclusive and support successful learning.

### References
- A reference list of scholarly works related to the Co-Design Model, inclusive education practices, and special education strategies.